Police have uncovered a chicken processing operation in Puchong, Selangor, where poultry was allegedly immersed in hot water until dead before being slaughtered, raising serious doubts over the halal status of its products.
The raid, conducted under Op Taring Chiller at about 12.40am on Friday, resulted in the arrest of 12 foreign men and the seizure of 6,555kg of raw chicken worth approximately RM85,400.
Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence Division (WCB/PSK) commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said the joint operation involved the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Selangor Department of Environment (JAS) and Petaling District Health Office.
Initial inspections found that the facility’s chicken handling and slaughtering procedures raised serious concerns over compliance with Islamic requirements and the halal status of its products.
“Inspections found that the chickens were believed to have undergone a hot water bath process until they died before being slaughtered.
“This is particularly concerning because the slaughtering method is one of the key factors determining whether a chicken product is halal. Any process that causes the animal to die before slaughter raises serious questions about compliance with Islamic requirements and halal certification standards,” he said in a statement today.
Mohd Zaki said the 12 men, comprising Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, were believed to have been working at the premises in chicken slaughtering and processing activities. They were detained to assist investigations.
Further inspections led to the seizure of 468 plastic packages containing raw chicken, weighing a total of 6,555kg.
Preliminary investigations also indicated that the premises had allegedly been operating as a chicken slaughtering, processing and distribution facility for an extended period.
The chicken supply was believed to have come from several farms around Sungai Sepat, Sungai Pelek and Sepang before being processed and distributed to customers, including eateries, grocery shops and supermarkets.
The distribution network reportedly covered Damansara, Bangi, Puchong, Cheras, Putra Perdana, Putrajaya and several other areas across the Klang Valley.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the full supply and distribution network, including the actual daily volume of chicken processed and all parties involved.
Meanwhile, JAIS took action under Sections 3(1)(a) and 4(1) of the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011.
JAS Selangor also issued a notice to detain operational equipment under Section 38(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
The Petaling District Health Office issued a cleaning notice over non-compliance with food hygiene and handling requirements, including chicken storage temperature controls and the physical condition of the premises.
The 12 foreign nationals also face immigration action under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
All seized raw chicken has been temporarily placed at the JAIS office in Shah Alam pending further action.
