KUALA
LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided to transfer the function of halal
certification to Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC)
from Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
“It (HDC) is the
organisation that will conduct research and development, issue halal
certification and promote halal products in Malaysia,” he told
reporters after visiting the Institute of Islamic Understanding
Malaysia here on April 4.
Ahmad said Jakim was
expected to transfer some of its officers to HDC to assist in the halal
certification process. HDC would also follow up on Jakim’s previous
efforts on halal certifications and it would continue to use the same
halal logo, he added.
“The Organisation of
Islamic Countries (OIC) has also made Malaysia the main halal hub.
Among other OIC countries that issue halal certifications, OIC only
acknowledges Malaysia’s halal certification,” he said.
The minister said the
transfer of halal certification function had already started with
immediate effect after the Cabinet’s decision on Wednesday.
HDC was officially incorporated on Sept 18, 2006, as a private company and is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance Inc.