MUIS, CASE helping those affected by The Meat Brothers' korban disruption secure refundsMUIS和CASE帮助受The Meat Brothers的献祭行为影响的人们获得退款
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has engaged the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to assist affected individuals in seeking their refunds from local korban operator, The Meat Brothers.Earlier in May, AsiaOne had reported that korban arrangements at four mosques in Singapore were disrupted as export approval from Australian authorities was not obtained in time by the operator.The operator...
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) has engaged the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to assist affected individuals in seeking their refunds from local korban operator, The Meat Brothers.
Earlier in May, AsiaOne had reported that korban arrangements at four mosques in Singapore were disrupted as export approval from Australian authorities was not obtained in time by the operator.
The operator was responsible for about 400 live sheep meant for Al-Firdaus Mosque in Choa Chu Kang, Petempatan Melayu Sembawang Mosque and Pusara Aman Mosque in Lim Chu Kang.
It is also responsible for a portion of the livestock for Jamae Chulia Mosque in Chinatown.
At that time, The Meat Brothers (TMB) said in a statement published on its social media that it had directly contacted affected individuals who have registered to perform the korban ritual — sohibul korban .
They were offered three options: modified korban performed in Australia, with the meat sent directly to participating Muslims; korban performed in Indonesia's Medan through the operator's local partners, with the meat shared with eligible beneficiaries and the local community; or, a full refund of payment.
TMB also publicly stated that it intended to complete the refunds by end-August.
In a joint statement issued on Friday (Oct 9), MUIS said it was informed by TMB on Aug 31 that there would be a delay as it was awaiting payment from a third-party.
However, despite follow-ups by MUIS, more than 300 refunds remained outstanding as of Thursday (Oct 8).
In addition, MUIS noted that TMB has not committed a firm timeline for completing the refunds.
"MUIS has made clear to TMB that it remains responsible for honouring its commitment to refund affected Sohibul Korban," it said.
Given the continued delay, MUIS added that it has engaged CASE to assist the affected individuals in seeking recourse for their outstanding refunds.
MUIS said it has since provided CASE with the details of 32 affected individuals who had approved them and the affected mosques regarding their outstanding claims.
CASE will now assist these affected consumers to lodge a claim at the Small Claims Tribunal.
Meanwhile, other sohibul korban affected by the episode, and have yet to receive their refunds, can submit their details and information via CASE's web form .
"CASE will assess their cases and provide the appropriate assistance. MUIS will continue to work with CASE and follow up on the outstanding cases," the two agencies said.
MUIS has also reviewed the episode and strengthened safeguards for next year's korban arrangements.
These, it said, include stronger oversight of operators’ readiness, clearer contractual and operational requirements, and enhanced contingency arrangements to strengthen accountability and provide greater assurance to sohibul korban .
MUIS also thanked those affected for their patience, adding that it understands the frustration caused by the prolonged delay.
"We will continue to support sohibul korban seeking recourse for their outstanding refunds," it said.
新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会 (MUIS) 已委托新加坡消费者协会 (CASE) 协助受影响的个人向当地祭祀食品运营商 The Meat Brothers 追讨退款。
今年 5 月初，AsiaOne 曾报道，由于运营商未能及时获得澳大利亚当局的出口许可，新加坡四座清真寺的宰牲仪式安排受到干扰。
该经营者负责为蔡厝港的 Al-Firdaus 清真寺、Petempatan Melayu Sembawang 清真寺和林厝港的 Pusara Aman 清真寺运送约 400 只活羊。
它还负责唐人街贾迈楚利亚清真寺的部分牲畜。
当时，The Meat Brothers (TMB) 在其社交媒体上发表声明称，他们已直接联系了已登记进行 korban 仪式（sohibul korban）的受影响个人。
他们有三种选择：在澳大利亚进行改良的献祭仪式，并将肉直接送给参与的穆斯林；通过运营商的当地合作伙伴在印度尼西亚棉兰进行献祭仪式，并将肉分享给符合条件的受益人和当地社区；或者，全额退款。
TMB也公开表示，计划在8月底前完成退款。
新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）在周五（10月9日）发表的联合声明中表示，马来西亚电信管理局（TMB）于8月31日通知他们，由于正在等待第三方付款，因此将会出现延误。
然而，尽管新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）进行了后续跟进，截至周四（10 月 8 日），仍有 300 多笔退款尚未处理。
此外，新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）指出，马来西亚电信局（TMB）尚未承诺完成退款的具体时间表。
“MUIS已向TMB明确表示，TMB仍有责任履行其向受影响的Sohibul Korban退款的承诺，”声明中写道。
鉴于退款持续延迟，新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）补充说，已委托新加坡伊斯兰学生协会（CASE）协助受影响的个人追讨未决退款。
MUIS表示，此后已向CASE提供了32名受影响人士的详细信息，这些人士已批准了他们的申请，以及受影响的清真寺有关其未决索赔的详细信息。
CASE 将协助这些受影响的消费者向小额索赔法庭提出索赔。
与此同时，其他受此事件影响但尚未收到退款的 sohibul korban 可以通过 CASE 的网络表格提交他们的详细信息。
“CASE将评估他们的案件并提供适当的援助。MUIS将继续与CASE合作，并跟进未决案件，”两机构表示。
新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）也对该事件进行了审查，并加强了明年宰牲节安排的保障措施。
声明称，这些措施包括加强对运营商准备情况的监督、更清晰的合同和运营要求，以及加强应急安排，以加强问责制并为 sohibul korban 提供更大的保证。
新加坡伊斯兰宗教理事会（MUIS）也感谢受影响人士的耐心，并表示理解长时间延误造成的沮丧。
“我们将继续支持索希布尔·科尔班寻求追讨未决退款，”声明中写道。