MALAYSIA’S halal industry has strengthened its position on the global stage, with several world leaders expressing interest in collaborating with the country to obtain halal certification and develop their own halal sectors.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said leaders from Vietnam, China, Brazil, South Africa, Peru and Ethiopia had recognised Malaysia’s achievements in the halal industry and sought cooperation to gain certification and recognition from the country.
“Whether it is Vietnam, the President of China, President Lula of Brazil, President Ramaphosa of South Africa, all without exception have stated that Malaysia has recorded good performance in the halal industry and they want to cooperate to obtain halal certification and recognition from Malaysia.
“I congratulate everyone, including JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) and the Islamic religious councils, for maintaining our excellent performance in promoting the halal industry,” he said.
Anwar was speaking at the Penang International Halal Expo (PIHEX) and the Penang Bumiputera Entrepreneurs MADANI Kita Gathering Programme held at Seberang Perai Polytechnic (PSP) in Bukit Mertajam today.
During the event, Anwar announced a RM5 million allocation for the implementation of the Bumiputera Semiconductor Strategy Programme, which will be developed through collaboration with higher education institutions and relevant stakeholders.
He stressed that Malaysia’s halal industry should not focus solely on certification but must also strengthen the wider ecosystem by linking certification with industrial development.
“In the past two years or more, I have emphasised that we should not only export halal certificates.
“Our strength is not only certification, but there must be synergy between certification and industry,” he said.
Anwar said this was highlighted during his discussion with the Vietnamese Prime Minister, who expressed interest in expanding the halal industry in Vietnam and obtaining Malaysian halal certification.
“In that discussion, I said the Vietnamese government needs to look at a strategy to cooperate with the halal industry in Malaysia.
“This is because if they obtain certification, it must also be accompanied by monitoring, and that monitoring will be more effective if there is cooperation with Malaysian industries that can work together to maintain the continuity and sustainability of the halal industry,” he said.
He said Malaysia’s international reputation in the halal sector was also driven by strong governance, transparency and efforts to prevent abuse of the certification process.
“When we manage things properly and avoid misconduct, with good governance, the world recognises us. When the world recognises us, Malaysia’s halal industry can grow, and we hope it will become the peak and the best and most excellent halal industry in the world.
“This is our aspiration because when I met the President of Peru, as well as the leaders of Brazil and Ethiopia, without exception, I was quite interested in this matter because firstly, the certification receives high recognition.
“Secondly, companies, whether Bumiputera or non-Bumiputera, when they receive halal certification, they are given recognition and respect,” he said.
Anwar added that stronger cooperation between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera companies was essential to ensure Malaysia’s halal industry continued expanding and remained among the world’s leading halal markets.
“I believe collaboration between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera companies must also be enhanced in Malaysia,” he said.
Lack of Responsibility
Earlier, Anwar criticised leaders who issued statements containing insults against other communities, saying such remarks reflected a lack of responsibility in a country approaching seven decades of independence.
He said Malaysia was built on unity, acceptance and respect for the Federal Constitution among citizens of diverse backgrounds.
“The country has been independent for almost 70 years. I do not think there should be any irresponsible leader who issues such statements because they insult the presence of other communities,” he said.
Anwar was responding to remarks allegedly containing racial undertones made by Perikatan Nasional (PN) Election Director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor during a campaign speech ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election.
Speaking after the opening ceremony of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin in Bukit Mertjam, Anwar said while the majority of Malays originated from Tanah Melayu, Malaysia’s strength also came from communities of different backgrounds, including Chinese and Indian Malaysians who had contributed significantly to national development.
He said all Malaysians who uphold loyalty to the country and accept the Constitution should be regarded as a national asset rather than excluded.
“I strongly disagree with any perception that insults or disregards the role of any community in our country,” he said.
During the speech in Jempol, the Kedah Menteri Besar was reported to have said that “Tanah Melayu” was the only homeland for Malays compared with other communities.
“Malays no longer have land. Malays only have Tanah Melayu. Indians have India, Chinese have China, Cambodians have Cambodia, Siamese have Thailand. Where are Malays? Malays are only here,” he was quoted as saying.
He also claimed that Malay economic and political influence had declined while criticising Malay leaders who cooperate with opposition parties by comparing them with the character “Buang” from the classic film Sarjan Hassan. - July 25, 2026
