Jakim Will Continue To Train Halal Industry Researchers, Says Abdullah



PUTRAJAYA, April 10 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Islamic Development
Department (Jakim) will continue to train officers handling research on
the halal industry, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said they must know what are the matters that need to be
understood in determing whether a product is halal (permitted by Islam).

According to Abdullah, the Cabinet had given the mandate to the
Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) to take over from the
Jakim certification of halal products.

“But the certificates issued will also bear Jakim’s name and logo
because they have been long in use,” he told reporters after chairing a
meeting of the National Council on Islamic Religious Affairs, here
Thursday.

Abdullah said the integrity of the certificates was recognised and its standards was also being used by the United Nations.

“As such, we will not use any other halal certificates,” he said.

He said allowing HDC to issue the certification would enhance its
role in promoting the nation’s halal industry together with other
government departments and agencies like SMIDEC.

The Prime Minister also clarified that all research into halal certification would still be carried out by Jakim researchers.

“So, it does not mean they will be replaced, only that they will come under the HDC,” he said.