\n<\/p>\n
Social media posts in Muslim-majority Malaysia have targeted an ethnically Chinese lawmaker with a fabricated headline claiming she backed halal certification for pork, which is forbidden in Islam. Teresa Kok denied making such a statement and has lodged a police report over the false claim, while Malay-language daily Berita Harian also denied ever publishing such a report.<\/p>\n
The fabricated report shared on Facebook<\/a> on January 14, 2026 features an image of Kok, a lawmaker from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a member of Malaysia’s ruling coalition. Its Malay-language headline reads: “Halal certification for pork is necessary.”<\/p>\n Its Malay-language caption criticises Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat<\/a>, reading: “Ahh, that’s it\u2026 What do the PKR gang say, Anwar Ibrahim\u2026 this is what you all wanted” (archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n More than half of Malaysia’s 34 million population are Muslims<\/a>, who must observe strict halal<\/a> dietary standards under which meat must be slaughtered in a specific manner (archived here<\/a> and here<\/a>).<\/p>\n Pork and all pork-derived products, however, are entirely prohibited.<\/p>\n