Puchong chicken processing plant raided over halal concerns

Authorities have raided a chicken slaughtering and processing warehouse in Puchong, Selangor, following allegations that chickens were being killed via high-voltage electric shock before being slaughtered. The facility, which has reportedly operated for approximately 20 years, allegedly used a water bath stunning method with voltages as high as 130 volts, significantly exceeding the 10-volt limit set by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

During the raid, known as Ops Taring Chiller, officials seized approximately 6.5 tonnes of raw chicken. Investigations suggest the chickens died instantly due to the electrical current, which would categorize them as carcasses rather than live animals under Islamic law, thereby invalidating their halal status. The facility was capable of processing over 40,000 chickens per day.

The processed poultry was distributed to various outlets across the Klang Valley, including restaurants, grocery stores, and supermarkets in areas such as Damansara, Bangi, Cheras, and Putrajaya. The Penang Mufti clarified that Muslims who consumed the meat without knowing its true status are not considered to have sinned, but emphasized that once the status is confirmed as non-halal, consumption must stop.

Twelve foreign workers from Bangladesh and Pakistan were detained during the operation. The premises have been ordered to close for two weeks while investigations continue under the Trade Descriptions (Halal) Order 2011 and the Environmental Quality Act 1974.