Mandatory halal certification proposal falls under Conference of Rulers purview, says Zahid

ANY decision on the proposal to make halal certification mandatory for all restaurants and food operators comes under the jurisdiction of the Conference of Rulers, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.  

He said the issue should not result in polemic as it was only a proposal, not a permanent policy, Bernama reported.  

“If the study finds that halal certification should or should not be made mandatory, we will leave it to the rulers to decide. If the matter is brought to the cabinet, we will follow the advice of the prime minister to ensure that this issue is not turned into polemics. 

“We must respect the current system. Even though I am the chairman of the Halal Malaysia Council, I will certainly take a cautious approach regarding the findings of the study,” he told the press on the last day of his working visit to China today. 

Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had requested a report on the issue of halal certification and wanted it to be presented at the cabinet meeting next week. 

He said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar had also been asked to look into it.  

On September 6, Mohd Na’im reportedly said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) was considering a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that did not serve pork and alcohol. 

The issue sparked controversy when Seputeh MP Teresa Kok responded by saying the implementation of halal certification should be voluntary to allow operators to make decisions based on market demand. 

Zahid said obtaining halal certification required applicants to meet specific conditions to ensure the application process ran smoothly. 

He also reminded all parties not to accuse Jakim of being “slow” in issuing halal certificates. 

“Previously, the process took nine months to complete. However, through an understanding between the Halal Malaysia Council and Jakim, it was reduced to 23 working days and is now further shortened to 15 working days from the date the application is submitted, provided all requirements are met,” he added. – September 12, 2024.