According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr. Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, 7,306 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Malaysia currently have a Halal Verification Certificate.
In closing out the discussion for his portfolio on the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Mid-Term Review (MTR) at Dewan Rakyat today, he stated that there were 8,272 businesses that held certificates across all industrial categories.
He said that 3,270 of the businesses, or 39.53 percent, held Bumiputera firm category certificates.
“Accords and resolutions have been reached at several Cabinet and inter-ministerial meetings for the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) to play an important role in focusing on industry training and guidance to ensure that the industry is ready to apply for Malaysia’s verification certificate.”
“In an effort to improve the governance of the SME industry, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) always collaborates and engages with all entrepreneur guidance agencies under the ministry that facilitate the aspects of halal certification standards and procedures, including application procedures,” he explained.
He stated that, in addition to large-group facilitation sessions, Jakim organised focus group meetings with enterprises experiencing certification issues at the pre-application, current, and post-halal certification stages.
Mohd Na’im added that the department also collaborates with specialists from public and commercial organisations, including Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Halal Products Research Institute (HPRI), to enhance the halal ecosystem in the country and overseas.
Prior to this, during the 12MP-MTR debate, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) urged that the government enhance governance for the industry, particularly the SME group, in order to increase added value to the halal market.
Concerning the proposal to create a specific act to regulate the industry, Mohd Na’im stated that for the time being, existing laws such as the Trade Description Act 2011 (Act 730), the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, and the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011, as well as state enactments, are still relevant and meet current needs and requirements.
