PETALING JAYA: A new digital platform will be set up to integrate existing systems to expedite and simplify the halal certification process, says Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC) chairman Khairul Azwan Harun.
He said that the body will collaborate and synergise with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and other related agencies to expedite and simplify the halal certification application process, with the aim of increasing the export value of Malaysian halal products to the global market and adding to the number of exporting companies holding halal certificates.
“The HDC will establish a new digital platform that will integrate existing applications and systems to facilitate the process from pre-certification to approval and post-certification,” he said in a statement.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced that the government was planning to reduce the processing time for halal certification from 51 to 30 days.
During the tabling of the 2024 Budget, Anwar said the HDC, in collaboration with Jakim, would lead efforts to streamline the halal certification process, especially for halal product exporters.
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He said the recent 19th Malaysia International Halal Showcase recorded sales of halal products reaching RM3bil, which was 24% higher than the target.
Khairul Azwan said he was confident that the shortened approval period to 30 days as suggested by the Prime Minister can be implemented.
Jakim chief Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff (pic) also welcomed the government’s call to shorten the processing period for Malaysia’s halal certification.
“To ensure that there is an increase in the number of applications for the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) among Bumiputra entrepreneurs, we will see to it that halal awareness programmes will be continued and are implemented ‘on the ground’ to meet with entrepreneurs in need of guidance,” she said.
On a separate matter, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the government allocated RM1.9bil for the management and development of Islamic affairs next year.
Anwar said two Islamic educational institutions will be built at the cost of RM220mil.
“These are the Tahfiz Science Integration Secondary School Complex, Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur, and the Jempol National Religious Secondary School in Negri Sembilan.
“Islamic knowledge education will continue to develop to be appreciated and understood by all Muslims,” he said during the tabling of Budget 2024.
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The Prime Minister added that a total of RM150mil will be provided to Jakim to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure of Islamic educational institutions, including religious schools, registered lodge institutions and tahfiz schools.
“God willing, the organisation of religious programmes by Islamic figures and scholars throughout the country, especially at the Seri Perdana Complex, will be continued and increased to improve the understanding and appreciation of religious knowledge for Muslims,” Anwar said
In appreciation of the services and role of more than 70,000 religious (takmir) teachers, Kafa (religious and Fardu Ain class) teachers, imams and other religious posts (bilal, siak, noja and mabut) at the community level, the government agreed to increase the special contribution to RM700, which will be channelled directly to them.
This came up to an allocation of more than RM500mil, he said.
He added that in 2003, the government had stopped the per capita aide to the Sekolah Agama Rakyat on grounds that the Islamic teaching approach was not on the right track.
“The unity government has decided to reintroduce the aid grant of RM20,000 to all the Sekolah Agama Rakyat registered under Jakim.
“This grant is expected to support the function of these schools in producing a new generation of Muslims who are balanced in their worldly and spiritual knowledge,” Anwar said.
