The Johor Government of Malaysia has warned the country's contingent of Muslims that an imported beer from the Middle East that has been branded halal by the manufacturers, is not in fact halal.
"The halal classification for the beer was issued by a private company and lab tests have certified that it contains more than the permitted amount of alcohol,” state Religious Committee chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said.
The government will not be taking action against the manufacturers however, with Osman continuing "Unlike agencies such as the Customs Department, we do not have the authority to restrict the import of the product."
This means that anybody found consuming the alcohol in the country could be hit with a fine or two years of jail time. Osman stated "Those found selling and buying alcohol, however, face a maximum fine of RM5,000 or jail term of up to three years, or both.
"The state government has also suggested the setting up of arehabilitation centre for hardcore offenders to help them reform and stay awayfrom repeatedly breaking syariah laws."