KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to track down an individual known as the 'hood man' are being stepped up to assist the investigation into allegations that Thomas Foods International (TFI) Lobethal slaughterhouse in Australia did not comply with Malaysian halal standards and procedures.

       Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) were still unable to track down the man.

       "We are trying to talk to the person who exposed the case and we would like his cooperation.

       "Based on information, our officer managed to contact him and he said he would call us back, but we have yet to hear from him again," he told reporters after officiating at the national congress "Islam, the Malaysian Family and Harmony: Building an Agenda Resistant to Future Challenges' at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) here Thursday (May 19).

       Prior to this, the media had reported that based on video and photo evidence as well as witnesses' accounts, there had been violations of slaughtering procedures by a company in Australia that had obtained Malaysian halal certification.

       In a related development, he said Jakim had suspended the operation of about 16 slaughterhouses under TFI with immediate effect until the results of a thorough investigation are obtained. – Bernama