Boost manpower before making halal cert mandatory: Ex-rep to Jakim

Vegetarian restaurant manager Lai Kuen Ban has opposed a proposal being mulled by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to make it compulsory for restaurants that do not serve pork or alcohol to obtain halal certification.

He said instead of considering mandatory halal certification, Jakim should first focus on improving its capabilities.

Lai (above), a former Kota Laksamana assemblyperson, is...