Govt Aims At Shaping HDC As A Professional Body

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) — The government is
working towards shaping the Halal Industry Development Corporation
(HDC) as a professional body that will not only look into halal
certification but be also responsible for the development of the
industry, its integrity, branding as well as promotion.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr
Mashitah Ibrahim said various measures would have to be taken to make
HDC as a centre for global reference, for training, research and
development of the industry.

“It is only reasonable for Malaysia to make use of its edge in
terms of its image as a progressive Islamic country with expertise in
the areas of halal covering the establishment of standards, training
and halal quality system.

“The halal industry is not about certification alone, therefore
there is a need to establish an organisation that is able to give focus
to the halal industry development in an integrated and holistic
manner,” she said.

She said this in reply to a question from Mohamed Azmin Ali
(PKR-Gombak) at the Dewan Rakyat Thursday who wanted to know the
rationale behind appointing HDC as the official body for halal
certification in place of Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim).

Mashitah said since the takeover from Jakim in April, HDC had
approved a total of 730 applications as of November 15 this year, with
720 being domestic level applications and 10 at the international level.

“The halal certification covers food products, beverages, food
premises, slaughter houses, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and
personal care products,” she said.

To a question from Mohamed Azmin on the involvement of KasehDia
Sdn Bhd, a consultant firm that provides advisory services to HDC,
which he claimed belonged to the daughter of a top UMNO leader,
Mashitah denied the allegation.

She said there was no ownership link whatsover to the child of any
specific person in the issue of the consultant firm for HDC. However,
she said she will give in the written form the full details of the said
company, KasehDia.

— BERNAMA