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Malaysia culture minister calls ‘hot dog’ row ‘stupid and backward’

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian religious authorities’ decision to deny halal certification over the word “hot dog” is stupid and backward, said the country’s Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz on Wednesday (Oct 19).

Pretzel Dogs on display at an outlet of Auntie Anne's in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP

Pretzel Dogs on display at an outlet of Auntie Anne's in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian religious authorities’ decision to deny halal certification over the word “hot dog” is stupid and backward, said the country’s Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz on Wednesday (Oct 19).

Mr Nazri, who is vice president of the ruling United Malays National Organisation, said it was unequivocal that the word “hot dog” did not mean the food item contained dog meat, adding that there was no reason for the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) to take issue with the term now.

“Hot dog has always been known to be a western food. It comes from the English language. It is a western food. Please do not make us seem stupid and backward,” he said.

“Hot dog is hot dog la. Even in Malay it’s called hot dog. It’s been around for so many years. I’m a Muslim and I’m not offended. I’m not offended at all,” he told reporters at the Parliament.

Jakim this week confirmed that eateries must rename the “hot dog” if the item is in their menus, in order to secure halal certification.

“In Islam, dogs are considered unclean and the name cannot be related to halal certification,” said Jakim director Sirajuddin Suhaimee, adding that food items containing the word “dog” could confuse Muslims.

Mr Nazri on Wednesday rejected the argument, saying that eating hot dogs has never endangered his faith.

“This is ridiculous. This is done by people who are ignoramuses. They are not living in the real world.

“I think I now want to eat a hot dog now,” he said.

The issue surfaced after an executive with American pretzel chain Auntie Anne's revealed that its application for halal certification had failed due to, among others, concerns over the “pretzel dogs” in its menu.

Mr Suhaimee had said it was “more appropriate” to call it a “Pretzel Sausage”.

The incident is the latest in the growing trend of religious conservatism in Malaysia, the only country in the world that prohibits non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” and other Arabic terms.

Jakim’s move has also generated a buzz among Malaysians on social media, with many criticising the decision and questioning whether it will apply to other fast food items such as root beer.

“Oh we poor easily confused Muslims who have never heard of hot dogs before and who will have no choice but to buy one if one was on the menu,” activist and columnist Marina Mahathir, the daughter of former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad, said in a Facebook post that was shared over 1,800 times.

“This is not funny anymore. We are being ruled by irresponsible people who allow mediocre religious leaders to have their way. And it is all our fault for putting up with this,” wrote sociology professor Syed Farid Alatas on Facebook. “It seems like they can do anything they like and we will continue to be passive as a society, not voicing our utter dissatisfaction en mass in a legal and peaceful manner.”

Another Facebook user Naren Narasiah added: “I feel like starting a campaign called ‘pet a hot dog’ to create awareness.” 

Mr Sirajuddin has dismissed as “normal reaction” the online criticism. “We are doing our jobs, by the law,” he said. MALAY MAIL ONLINE

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