Uncovering the Issue

Recent records have revealed that at least three non-Muslim contractors in Sabah have been awarded tenders to supply halal food to school dormitories, despite not meeting the necessary religious criteria. This situation has raised serious questions about the integrity of the tendering process and the adherence to halal standards.

The Allegations

Raymond Ahuar, president of the Pertubuhan Kebudayaan dan Kebajikan Murut Malaysia, has voiced concerns that these non-Muslim halal food operators may be part of a larger scheme to profit from halal contracts. He filed a police report after discovering that the contractors—Asrin Songorou, Marudin Bin Andawai, and Sahadi Andawai—were not registered as Muslims with the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS). This raises doubts about how they were able to secure contracts that are supposed to be exclusively for Muslim-owned businesses.

Strict Guidelines for Halal Food Tenders

In Malaysia, halal food tenders for school boarding facilities are governed by strict guidelines. Not only must the food preparation adhere to halal certification standards, but the contractors themselves must also be Muslims, as outlined by the Ministry of Education’s procurement criteria. However, checks at the JHEAINS office revealed that the three contractors were not registered as Muslims, leading to questions about their eligibility for these tenders.

A History of Misconduct

This issue is not new. In 2022, it was reported that eleven food contractors were fined for submitting falsified bank statements to secure tenders worth RM25.79 million between 2014 and 2018. Among those implicated were Marudin and Asrin, who were part of the court proceedings. At that time, their religious status was not questioned, but recent investigations have cast doubt on their qualifications.

The Call for Accountability

Raymond emphasized that this situation goes beyond just falsified documents, it raises serious concerns about the eligibility for contracts that are based on religious criteria. He pointed out that these tenders were specifically meant for Muslim vendors, and it appears that some individuals have circumvented this requirement.

He urged the authorities to investigate how these tenders were approved without proper checks on the contractors’ religious backgrounds. Additionally, he called for a comprehensive review of all active halal food contracts in Sabah to identify any similar cases.

Upholding Religious Integrity

Raymond concluded by stressing the importance of upholding Islam as the official religion of Malaysia. He believes that all citizens have a responsibility to ensure that religious provisions in the law are respected and not exploited for personal gain. The integrity of the halal food supply chain is crucial, especially when it comes to the welfare of students in Sabah’s schools.

Original Article:

The Vibes. (2025, April 24). Non-Muslim contractors in Sabah won halal food tenders, reveal records. The Vibes. https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/107497/non-muslim-contractors-in-sabah-won-halal-food-tenders-reveal-records