MOVE TOWARDS WORLD HALAL STANDARDS

Jakim’s MyIHAB system will enable Malaysia to set up an International Halal Accreditation Board

HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN SEPANG news@nst.com.my

The quest for halal products was rising and Malaysia targeted RM40 billion in halal exports this year, Zahid added.

He said Malaysia remained committed to become a significant player in the global halal market and ultimately to become a world halal hub.

“As Muslims, it is our duty to enhance and further promote halal products to become a premium brand, one that is associated with quality, safety and good health.

“Insya-Allah (God willing), through the development of the halal industry and economy, we will see a positive impact of Islam and Muslims in business and commerce around the globe.”

In order to make Malaysia a global halal leader by 2020, Zahid said Jakim had taken proactive measures to expand the scope of international certification.

“The process of auditing and monitoring of applications for International Halal Certification will be carried out by Jakim’s audit office, while Recognised Halal Certification Bodies will act as a monitoring agent for International Halal Certification on behalf of the our government abroad.”

He said Malaysia was committed to develop the capacity or ability of the Recognised Halal Certification Bodies through various development programmes, coaching and consultation.

Among the countries that had benefited were Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Cambodia, the Philippines, China, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Spain, and West European, Latin American and African countries, he said.

Zahid said the convention also launched its first International Halal Technical Capacity Development programme (IHTCDP) to share knowledge and expertise in technical and Syariah aspects.

Some 1,000 industry players and stakeholders from 40 countries, including Malaysia, attended the two-day convention.

Present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Jakim director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapa.

As Muslims, it is our duty to enhance and further promote halal products to become a premium brand, one that is associated with quality, safety and good health.