KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 ― The lack of complaints in Sarawak over “Serve No Pork” signs at restaurants there indicate Sarawakians do not turn it into an issue, a senior official from the Borneo state’s Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry said.

The ministry’s Sarawak enforcement chief Abdul Hadfiz Abdul Rahim said operators of food outlets are not attempting to claim that their food is “halal” or permissible for Muslims through the use of the pork-free sign, noting that such notices are not exclusively for Muslims, The Borneo Post reported today.

“When some food centres promote their products by putting up the ‘Serve No Pork’ signage, that do not mean that they are trying to influence people’s mind that their food is ‘Halal’ but they are just saying that they are not serving pork,” Abdul Hadfiz was quoted saying.

These food outlets may promote their businesses as long as no offence is committed, he added.

Abdul Hadfiz confirmed his enforcement division had yet to receive orders to keep an eye on the pork-free sign issue.

He said Malaysians especially Muslims must be careful when going to food outlets sporting such signs.

He said the “Serve No Pork” sign does not indicate that the food outlets have received “halal” certification from the Department of Islamic Development or the Department of Islamic Affairs Sarawak (Jais).

“It is not compulsory for all premises to get Halal certificate as Malaysia is a free market,” he was also quoted saying.

He said the pork-free sign issue was difficult to handle due to its sensitive nature and its potential wide social impact in Sarawak.

Last weekend, Malay-language daily Berita Harian quoted Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry enforcement director Mohd Roslan Mahayudin as saying that action can be taken against restaurants using the “no pork” sign for allegedly attempting to deceive Muslims into dining in their premises.

He reportedly told the newspaper that the sign does not mean a restaurant is classified “halal” or permissible under Islam, and thus action can be taken under Sections 28 and 29 of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 for attempting to confuse Muslims through Quranic verses and objects.

Section 28 in the Act deals with terms and expressions used in relation to goods or services, while Section 29 touches on informative marking and certification orders.

Under Section 28, a company can be fined not more than RM5 million for first offence, while an offender that is not a corporate body can be fined not more than RM1 million or jailed not more than three years.

Under Section 29, a company can be fined not more than RM200,000 for first offence, while an offender that is not a corporate body can be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed not more than three years.