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BUKIT GANTANG – There is no need for the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) to cooperate with local authorities to facilitate the issuance of halal certificates to small and micro-business entrepreneurs (SME).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad said this is because the application and approval of the halal certificate issued by Jakim is not a complicated process.
“The application and approval process for this halal certificate is simple and applicants only need to comply with our standard operating procedures within 30 days. Usually, if all the rules met, approval will only take 16 or 17 days.
“Normally, if one does not get approval, it is because some conditions are not met. We also have to remember that this certificate cannot be issued automatically even if the applicant is a Muslim,” he said when met by reporters at Kg Sg Tinggi Trong here today.
On August 18, the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia president Abdul Halim Husin suggested that Jakim coordinate with local authorities to make it easier for SME to obtain halal certification.
Halim was also reported as saying the proposal was made as SME, which makes up over 76% of all registered companies in Malaysia and contributes over 34% of gross domestic product are facing difficulties in obtaining halal certification due to the requirement of local authority licences.
Idris said that although the process of application and approval of halal certificates is subject to Jakim’s jurisdiction, enforcement action against any entrepreneur who misuses the certificate is the responsibility of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
“Jakim has no authority to take action. The matter is under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, Jakim only has the right to provide information and monitor whether these entrepreneurs follow the standards set or otherwise,” he said. – Bernama, August 21, 2022
