Malaysians Dogged by Hot Dog Issue

(Marketingmagazine.com.my) – By: Akmal Ariffin

Malaysian religious authority’s decision to deny halal certification to Auntie Anne’s ‘Pretzel Dog’ has had consequences more than just vocal complaints. The news has gotten international coverage with everyone from Fox news to Daily Mail covering the issue. Many have voiced their dissatisfaction over the whole thing and Malaysia’s credibility in its branding is unfavourable. Netizens in the country were livid when the issue first emerged.

Quite recently, our Tourism and Culture minister, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has termed the whole incident as ridiculous and it was raised by ignoramuses. He is saying that the whole shenanigan is making us look stupid. According to him, everyone knows Hot Dog doesn’t consist of dog meat. Even the more ‘Islamic’ party Youth Chief from PAS, Nik Mohamad Abduh joked about the matter by saying it is making him feel to get himself a hot dog in the presence of the Malaysian media.

Recently, Auntie Anne’s Quality Assurance and Halal Executive Farhatul Kamilah Mohamed Sazali said the company had relented and has given several options for the Pretzel Dog and is awaiting JAKIM’s approval on the matter. JAKIM had asked them to call it ‘Pretzel Sausage’.

On a similar call, fast-food restaurant chain A&W have complied with JAKIM’s request and replaced its ‘Coney Dog’ to ‘Chicken Coney’ and ‘Beef Coney’ and its ‘Root Beer’ is now just called RB.

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