The action taken by QSR Brands to display its own " Halal logo" from its own Shariah Council from 2001 to 2002, was not to discredit or being disrespectful to the regulatory body issuing the Halal logo. It is never intended to "fool the public" about the Halal logo but to guarantee Muslims and Non-Muslims alike that the best Halal food is served.

The Trade Description Act 1972 permits all restaurants to use their own Halal logo. There is no law or regulation indicating that the logo must be obtained from JAKIM. But to facilitate and standardize the halal symbol, JAKIM took steps to organise and issue " Halal logo".

QSR Brands supported the initiative taken and started to apply and display Halal logo since 1994. But by the end of 1997, the issuing of this logo was privatised to a private company. By the end of 1999 the QSR Brands ceased to apply for the logo as QSR Brands introduced its own Halal logo endorsed by its own Shariah Council comprising a very strong committee of very prominent Islamic scholars.

There are many reasons why the Council was established. We believed that the Halal issue is not just the logo itself but it is a total quality control measures which involved monitoring the slaughtering process, the handling and transportation process and storage. Halal is a total quality concept and not confined to just slaughtering the Islamic way. The private company issuing the Halal logo is seen to be incapable in terms of expertise and knowledge and facilities to issue the Halal logo. The private company is commercializing the logo. This is a mockery to our country and to Islam in general. Not only exorbitant charges are levied on the Halal logo but it has been abused to the extent that Halal logo been forced on already Halal products such as rice, fruit etc. It is ridiculous to see Halal signs on animal foods. Such actions showed that the private company does not even understand the Halal concept. Thank God, the Malaysian government had terminated the contract, and reverts the responsibility to JAKIM.

QSR Brands has no problem working with JAKIM on this issue and we are looking forward to cooperate with them. It is really not a problem. Don't worry, we had faced numerous wrong perceptions before and it can be overcomed when the facts are put to them. The accusation is baseless and totally untrue.