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PETALING JAYA: Chief Health Officer Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the Covid-19 vaccine does not need to be halal to be administered in Malaysia, following concerns raised by some quarters on the issue.
However, speaking to The Straits Times, Noor Hisham said that if the vaccine manufacturers could get halal certified, “it would be better.”
“But we don’t register a drug based on its halal status or not. We also register non-halal drugs, ”he told the Singapore daily.
Last week, the Kelantan government called for a study to be carried out to ensure that the Covid-19 vaccine is sharia-compliant.
MP Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said the study is crucial to increase the confidence of people, especially Muslims, in receiving the vaccine as a preventive treatment for Covid-19.
Last month, Pahang Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman expressed hope that the much touted Covid-19 vaccine will be halal to ensure peace of mind among Muslims.
He said that while the highest importance in Islamic law was saving lives, health authorities must ensure that the vaccine is free of items that the religion deems prohibited.
On November 7, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the government was making arrangements to order the Covid-19 vaccine.
However, it raised concern among Muslims here, who cast doubt on its halal status as the vaccine was produced in China.
Since then, Khairy has ensured that the vaccines will be tested and approved by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
