COMMENT | A few years ago, my mom got into an argument with a nasi lemak seller in our neighbourhood market. Mom was getting her usual stock of tau sar peah (green pea cakes) from a Chinese aunty when the makcik at a nearby nasi lemak stall called her. Curious, after completing the purchase, mom walked to the makcik’s stall.

Pointing at the rolls of tau sar peah inside mom’s basket, the makcik asked if they were halal. My mom then explained that they were made with vegetable oil and green peas and she trusts that the Chinese aunty who owns the stall would not sell anything non-halal to a Muslim.

The makcik then responded by advising mom that it wasn’t ...