Seized pig bristle paint brushes to be returned if traders comply with labelling ruling

KUALA LUMPUR: Pig bristle paint brushes seized during a mass raid early last month would only be returned to the affected traders if they comply with the labelling ruling, said Domestic, Trade and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
He said the ministry had given a grace period of one month since Feb 9 to allow traders to separate and put labelling on items made from porcine materials.
"The traders must place a label stating that 'barangan ini diperbuat daripada babi' (this item is made of pig)," he said.
"If they comply then we will return the items. We have given them a period of one month. If they fail to comply, we will use the seized brushes as evidence to take further action," he told Dewan Rakyat when responding to an additional question posed by Hee Loy Sian (PKR - Petaling Jaya Selatan) who asked whether the seized pig bristle brushes would be returned to the traders involved during the raid.
Hamzah said the seizure of unlabelled pig bristle brushes were done according to the Trade Descriptions (Goods Made from any Part of Pig or Dog) Order 2013.
He added that putting labels on porcine items was important to avoid any misunderstanding and confusion to the public.
However, the issue arose when some traders chose not to adhere to the ruling set by the government, he said, adding that the ministry had taken appropriate measures to halt the raid to maintain peace and harmony of the multiracial and multi-religious community in Malaysia.
"We were worried if actions were not taken, the misunderstanding could bring religious and racial issues among the public," said Hamzah.