The Health Ministry has launched an investigation to determine who within its organisation leaked a report about porcine DNA being detected in two batches of Cadbury chocolates, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
His attempt to pacify angry Muslims comes after the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) announced that tests conducted by an accredited lab had found no traces of pig DNA in the chocolates.
Hilmi said the ministry personnel had jumped the gun and leaked the report before further tests could be done to confirm the matter.
The ministry is in shambles. In my earlier blog post, I also blasted Cadbury. Yes, I jumped onto the bandwagon of disgusted consumers, especially the Muslims who treat pork as most sensitive compared to other 'dosa besar' (major sins).
However, after studying the case and talking to the respective authorities, I found out that the contaminated samples was 'too remote a case'. It could have been kept in a non-Muslim's refrigerator where pork meat was also preserved.
After all, the samples claimed to contain pig DNA did not come directly from Cadbury; it came from a non-Muslim store.
And then this one or two ministry's officers who were told about it had unnecessarily jumped over their 'extra-excitement'. It was related to friends who posted about it on Facebook, twitter and blogs. It went viral, and that's how it got started.
I wonder if there were efforts to sabotage the government through Cadbury. The choc manufacturer has been here for ages - almost 5 decades - and the single largest shareholder is Felda, the other is Boustead.
Both belongs to the government and Umno.
I believe Dr Hilmi was summoned by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak earlier today for some clarifications. It wasn't easy for the deputy minister amid mounting calls by some Muslim groups and NGOs for the government to close down Cadbury.
Some even asked the MACC to investigate Jakim which was accused of awarding the 'halal' certificate to Cadbury.
I think Cadbury will not do anything to cheat or insult the Muslims. What happened was beyond its control and comprehension. Jakim has engaged qualified team to conduct a test on Cadbury products and found it free of porcine.
The issue was well-fabricated, well-orchestrated and well-exaggerated. The social media was the campaign catalyst to help shoot down Cadbury, the government, the Health Ministry, Jakim and others, which was not fair at all.
Let's close the case and have faith in Cadbury and the authorities. It was not meant to provoke the Muslims... it was only a stupid mistake by few!