Certified halal: A file photo of a halal restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.
PETALING JAYA: The existing policy on halal certification remains unchanged, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
This was decided at the Cabinet meeting yesterday after a report on the matter was presented by the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Religious Affairs.
He said the halal certification is open to any industry that is prepared to comply with all the requirements, standards and regulations of Malaysia’s halal certification.
“Getting halal certification will remain voluntary for industry players.
“Nevertheless, Jakim (Islamic Development Department of Malaysia) has encouraged industry players to apply for the certification as this can attract Muslim customers who can patronise their eateries without any doubt,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid said obtaining halal certification remains voluntary as how it was first introduced in 1974 and strengthened in 2011.
Meanwhile, to encourage more industry players to get the certification, various programmes are offered, such as training, guidance and grants, to ensure products or services can be certified halal, he said.
He said Jakim has also introduced the Malaysia Halal Certification Express Initiative to expedite the certification process within 30 days, adding that between January and July this year, 96% of the applications for this initiative were successfully processed within the stipulated time frame.
“This proactive effort serves as an attractive incentive for industry players to apply for the certification,” he said.
He said Jakim, together with the state Islamic religious councils and state religious departments, remains committed to enhancing current policies and procedures to improve the management and delivery of halal certification services.
“This ongoing effort is crucial to maintaining the global credibility of Malaysia’s halal certification system,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid said Jakim will continue to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of the halal certification within the food industry and businesses.
He warned that Jakim, along with the state Islamic religious councils or state religious departments, will take action against those attempting to falsify the certification, adding that strict enforcement will ensure the integrity and standards of Malaysia’s halal certification are upheld.
On Sept 12, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed a full report on the proposed mandatory halal certification for eateries to be tabled to the Cabinet.
On Sept 3, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said that several laws would need to be amended to enforce mandatory halal certification for food outlets, and various agencies would need to be involved to ensure compliance.
The proposed move requiring all eateries that do not serve pork or alcohol to obtain halal certification caused an uproar among politicians and communities.
Food and beverage industry players, in particular, have voiced their concern about imposing halal certification on them if they want to operate a no-pork and no-alcohol process, which they say involves high fees and stringent requirements.
Currently, such certification is optional for those food operators.
