adminPUCHONG: The factory in Kampung Sri Aman Hilir, here, which was raided last Friday, is believed to be using electricity with a voltage level far higher than the set limit when carrying out processing operations, in addition to being capable of processing more than 40,000 chickens a day.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) Deputy Director (Movement/Operations) Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim said initial investigations found that the supply of live chickens was obtained from Sungai Sepat, Sungai Pelek and Sepang, before being processed at the factory.
He said the processed chicken was then believed to be distributed to customers including restaurants, retail shops and business premises around Damansara, Bangi, Puchong, Cheras, Putra Perdana and Putrajaya.
“Based on the machine capacity, the premises can process more than 40,000 chickens a day. However, the actual number processed is still under investigation.”
“We are also identifying the entire supply and distribution chain, including the premises that receive chicken supplies from the factory,” he said at a press conference after inspecting the factory here today.
Commenting on the Waterbath Stunning method used at the factory, Muhammad said investigations found that the premises were believed to be using electrical voltage that exceeded the set limit, causing the chickens to die before the slaughtering process.
He said the inspection found that the voltage used was 60 volts on the first door at the front and 130 volts on the second door in the middle, while the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) stipulated that the voltage used for that method was below 10 volts.
“This matter is very worrying because the slaughter method is one of the main elements that determines the halal status of a chicken product,” he said.
He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) had previously issued several warnings and reprimands to the factory, which has been operating for more than 10 years, to comply with the set procedures, but the premises had still failed to do so.
In a raid at 12.40 midnight last Friday, police also arrested 12 Bangladeshi men who were found to have no valid travel documents and they are now being remanded for 14 days starting yesterday until Nov 13.
The owner of the premises, a local man in his early 30s, was also recorded speaking and further action will be determined based on the results of the investigation, including his role and involvement in the factory’s operations.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment (DOE) issued a notice to seize operational equipment at the premises, while the seized chickens were temporarily housed at JAIS, Shah Alam pending disposal.
The media previously reported that more than 6.5 tonnes of raw chicken worth RM85,400 was seized in the integrated operation, on suspicion of being processed without complying with slaughtering methods according to Islamic law and halal certification requirements.
The case is being investigated under Section 3(1)(A) and Section 4(1) of the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011 as well as Section 38(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
— BERNAMA
