KUANTAN, July 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will not compromise with eatery operators who have still not applied for the Jakim halal logo and certificate for display at their premises as they have been given ample time to do so.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Jakim had given the operators six months to obtain the halal logo and certificate following the amendment to the Trade Description Act 1972 which came into effect on Jan 1, 2012.

"The government will enforce the display of the halal logo and certificate issued by Jakim and the State Islamic Religious Department (Main) as the six-month grace period has come to an end.

"Eatery operators and businesses involving pharmaceutical and cosmetic products should have changed their halal logo and certificate issued by other agencies for the ones from Jakim within the six-month period given," he said after opening a seminar on 'Understanding Wasatiyyah and the 1Malaysia Concept', here, today.

According to him, 62 personnel authorised by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry would act against premises who fail to display the Jakim or Main halal logo and certificate and still displaying those issued by other agencies.

Asked about complaints on delay in handling applications from business operators for the Jakim halal logo and certificate, he said the applications should be made directly to Jakim or via online.

"Any new application, which has met the conditions set by Jakim, will take only about a month to be approved while an application for renewal of the halal certificate will take about an hour to be approved.

"Therefore, there is no more excuse for business operators not to adhere to the ruling on the halal logo and certificate as they will face legal action for non-compliance," he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Jamil Khir said understanding of the concept of wasatiyyah (moderation) needed to occur at all levels of society including the grassroots.

"This is to avoid confusion over wasatiyyah in realising the 1Malaysia concept, which is often manipulated by irresponsible quarters who try to divide the Muslim community in this country," he said.