KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — The Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has never hidden or manipulated facts in addressing issues and in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to it.

Its director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha stressed this at a special meeting with representatives of eight Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss the halal issue, here, today.

The NGOs are the Malaysia Ulama Association (PUM), Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN), Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), Malaysia Indian Muslim Youth Movement (GEPIMA), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA), Malaysia Consumer Protection and Welfare Board (LPKPM), Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) and Malaysia Islamic Welfare Organisation (PERKIM).

“The meeting was aimed at hearing the views of the NGOs on the halal issue following the perception, opinions, complaints and suggestions which they have voiced out through various mediums,” Othman said.

“Jakim also took the opportunity to explain the status of the discovery of two Cadbury chocolate products containing porcine (pork) DNA,” he said in a statement today.

He said Jakim paid serious attention to issues raised and suggestions made by NGOs and thanked them for their concern over the halal issue. — Bernama