Only 22 or 18 per cent of the 124 resort and hotel kitchens in Terengganu have the halal certificate, said State Communications and Multimedia and Special Functions Committee chairman Ghazali Taib.

He said 16 of the resort and hotel kitchens with the halal certificate were in Kuala Terengganu, two in Marang and one each in Dungun, Besut, Hulu Terengganu and Setiu.

"The halal certificate will expire in two years and during that period, the Halal Unit of the Terengganu Islamic Religious Department (JaHEAT) will monitor, as well as conduct spot checks at the premises concerned.

"Those found not complying with the stipulated criteria will have their halal certificate withdrawn," he added.

He told this to reporters after handing the halal certificate to Duyung Marina Resort here Thursday.

Also present was JaHEAT Commissioner Datuk Wan Mohd Wan Ibrahim. -- Bernama