Brunei workshop on halal certification gets under way


Workshop on halal certification gets under way

By Amin Hosni

The Syariah Affairs Department with cooperation from the Islamic Religious Department, Islamic Legal Unit, Royal
Brunei Police Force, State Mufti’s Office and Agriculture Department, recently rolled out a special workshop on
Syariah laws for inspectors and enforcers appointed under Chapter 18 and Chapter 25 of the “Perintah Sijil Halal” and
“Halal Label”.

The workshop was launched by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah
Dato Paduka Hj Othman, the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs during a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance
building.

“It is important that our (aspiration) to uphold the law, as well as the control of the production certificates and permits
involved in halal foods or anything related to it stays intact,” Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin said.

“We want the implementation to reach the requirements of Syariah law, which is Allah’s law and the law of the
country.”

The deputy minister said that the “Perintah Sijil Halal and Label Halal, 2005”, will declare that when the “Sijil Halal”
sign is displayed at any business premises, it would mean that the food does not contain any part of an animal that
should not be consumed by Muslims under Syariah law.

It would also mean that the food does not contain any filth (Najis) and was prepared by equipment free from ‘Najis’.
The “Sijil Halal” sign also implies that as the food was prepared, it was not in close range with any other food that is
‘Najis’ according to Syariah law.

Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin said that the enforcement and implementation of the “Perintah Sijil Halal”
and “Label Halal” would involve various government agencies including the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

“The guidelines and references are based on laws such as Kanun Perturan Jenayah (Penggal 7) under Chapter XIII
(Information to the Police and Their Power to Investigate). It will also be in the Guideline for Halal Compliance Audit
(BCG Halal 1-4), and Piawaian Brunei Darussalam (Makanan Halal) (PBD 24:2007),” he said.

“We also realise that (members of the public play a role in providing feedback) on the law,” he added.

The aim of the workshop is to give participants a better understanding of laws concerning the Perintah Sijil Halal and
Halal Label. It also informed them on how to deal with equipment or tools that had come in contact with ‘Najis
Mughalazhah’.

It was learnt that participants would be attending the three-day workshop in groups. The workshop is being facilitated
by the Islamic Legal Unit, Royal Brunei Police Force and the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources.

Some 280 people including customs personnel, religious officers, as well as others from Merinyu Lembaga Bandaran
(Renew Municipal Board), will take on the roles of inspectors and enforcers.

The workshop, which will be facilitated by the Islamic Legal Unit, will among other things discuss laws pertaining to
“Perintah Sijil Halal”, as well as the needs and conditions of the Halal Certificate and Halal Permit.

Meanwhile, the RBPF will deliver presentations on Kanun Peraturan Jenayah (CPC) Paragraph 7 under the Paragraph
XIII, while the Ministry of Industry & Primary Resources will be conducting a workshop on Piawaian Brunei
Darussalam PBD 24:2007 and the Brunei Darussalam Certification Guideline for Halal (BCG Halal 1-4).

This workshop will begin today (June 17) at the Sultan Hj Hassanal Bolkiah Tahfiz Al-Quran Institution.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated in a press release that it hoped that over 80 per cent of the participants would
be awarded certificates after completing the workshop.