Amidst the outrage, maybe a moment of reason: the Angkatan Belia Islam (ABIM) has dismissed a call by several Malay-Muslim NGOs to burn down the Malaysian Cadbury factory following recent events as being extremist and not representative of Islamic values.
The movement’s president, Amidi Abd Manan said that although the detection of porcine (read: pig-based) DNA in two batches of Cadbury chocolate bars distributed throughout Malaysia was a serious matter, the vitriol spewed forth by some groups was emotional and irrational, and would only serve to embarrass Malaysian Muslims.
“The statement shows the superficial thinking of the individual about Islam,” he said in a statement last night, as reported by The Rakyat Post.
Amidi added that apart from takin stern action against Cadbury, the enforcement of the Halal Act by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) also had to be improved.
Last Saturday, the Health Ministry announced that traces of porcine DNA were found in two batches of Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and Dairy Milk Roast Almond chocolate bars distributed to retailers nationwide, sparking off outrage and condemnation from Malay-Muslim rights groups and consumers.
Jakim immediately suspended its halal certification for the products, and initiated a product recall from retail outlets.
Yesterday, a coalition of 20 Malay-Muslim rights groups called for a ‘jihad’ against Cadbury Malaysia for releasing the tainted chocolate bars for public consumption. Another NGO, the Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) announced plans to initiate a RM100 million lawsuit against the confectionery giant for “mistreating” Malaysian Muslims.
See Also:
Haram! Cadbury chocolates found to have pig DNA; the internet explodes
Chocolategate: a Malay rights group wants to sue Cadbury for “mistreating” Muslims
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