Controversial lecturer Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has called on Muslims to boycott eateries run by non-Muslims to ensure that they did not end up consuming food which might be contaminated by pig DNA.
Ridhuan said based on his previous experience in rearing pigs and eating pork before he converted to Islam, porcine oil was among the "best" ingredients to be turned into polishers, seasoning and stabilisers compared with other oils and fats.
"It is not impossible that foods, such as noodles and cakes, have been mixed with illegal food. As such, be careful,” he said in his latest column in Sinar Harian today.
Ridhuan said the best way to avoid any possibility of consuming pork or any of its related products was to just frequent food premises owned by Muslims.
He said Muslims were “excited about going to non-Muslim food premises” although they might not display the halal logo.
"My reminder to all Muslims – first, do not get too excited about food produced by the ultra kiasu,” he said.
"Ultra kiasu" is Ridhuan’s favourite euphemism for those deemed as going against the Malays.
“Look for Muslim food that is guarantee halal. Whether it is delicious or not is a question of putting it in our mouths. When it goes to the stomach, the deliciousness dissipates.
"I am puzzled why Muslims are so excited about patronising the ultra kiasu shops without halal certification from Jakim, such as yong tau foo, kopitiam, bakeries which sell alcohol-laced products and others. Is it because we have no other choice?"
Ridhuan's warning comes following uncertainty over the halal status of two batches of Cadbury chocolates allegedly contaminated by pig DNA.
However, this morning Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom cleared the confectionery maker of any wrongdoing, saying tests carried out by a lab accredited by Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) on 11 samples of Cadbury dairy milk hazelnut and Cadbury dairy milk roast almond found no porcine DNA.
However, Ridhuan in his column today demanded Putrajaya shut down Cadbury as a lesson to others following discovery that two of its products contained pig DNA.
He said stern action should be taken against the company to teach a lesson to the "ultra kiasu”.
"We have to be stern, no more compromises. There is no need to burn the factory as proposed by some quarters," he said in reference to some Muslim non-governmental organisation which allegedly threatened to burn down the chocolate-maker's premises.
"Just revoke its licence. Shut down the chocolate factory. Malaysia will not be bankrupt if it takes such action.” – June 2, 2014.