The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) will submit a proposal to the Federal Government calling for the formation of a Malaysian Halal Council, with the aim of streamlining issues pertaining to the halal industry nationwide.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs Jamil Khair Baharom told Bernama today that the halal industry – commercial ventures dealing with shariah-compliant products and services which are permissible under Islamic principles – covers a wide scope, and it would be best if the relevant federal ministries were to be united under a single supervisory council.
Jamil said that besides JAKIM itself, the Malaysian Halal Council would bring in the Health Ministry, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Agriculture Ministry, and the Ministry for Domestic Trade, Copoperatives and Consumer Affairs.
The proposed council would assist in setting up a uniform system of laws and authority between federal ministries and to regulate the issuance of halal certifications.
He also noted that currently, 72% of halal certificates are “monopolised” by non-Muslim businesses, and urged Muslim-Malay entrepreneurs to step up their efforts to dominate the halal industry in Malaysia.
Jamil reminded that Malaysia’s halal exports amounted to RM40 billion last year, and is expected to grow to as much as RM50 billion in 2016.
China, Singapore, the United States, Indonesia, and the Netherlands make up the top five importers of Malaysian halal products around the world.
