Governing, Regulatory and Statutory Stakeholders within the Halal Industry in Malaysia

By Kamarul, H-Media
 

Stakeholders are defined as a person, group or organisation that has interest or stake in an organisation or in an industry.

Within the Malaysian halal industry, the following are the key stakeholders within the Malaysian halal supply chain, responsible for maintaining halal integrity, facilitate the growth of the industry and monitor the implementation of halal practices by producers.

1. Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) – Halal Industry Lead Body
HDC was established with the specific objective of acting as Malaysia’s one-stop centre for the coordination of Halal Industry. Today, HDC is the dedicated Government agency for all Halal Industry-related matters and is the key driving force in ensuring the success of the Halal agenda in line with the Government’s long-term economic transformation policies.
HDC spearheads the development of the strategic Halal initiatives, which are outlined in the Halal Industry Master Plan 2008-2020 (HIMP), to ensure that the Halal Industry develops progressively within an integrated and comprehensive manner.
The role of HDC is to:

  • Facilitate the development of high-level Halal standards, audit and certification procedures as a way to protect Halal’s integrity;
  • Direct and coordinate the development of Malaysia’s Halal Industry amongst the various public and private stakeholders;
  • Manage capacity building for Halal producers and other related service providers;
  • Support investment into Malaysia’s Halal Industry;
  • Facilitate the growth and participation of Malaysian companies within the global Halal market;
  • Develop, promote and market the Malaysian Halal brand; and
  • Promote the concept of Halal related goods and services.

HDC has also been appointed as the Industry Lead Body (ILB) for Halal Industry with a role to spearhead human capital development and trainings, development of Occupational Frameworks (OF) and National Occupational Skill Standard (NOSS). | www.hdcglobal.com

2. Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM)
JAKIM is an agency under the Prime Minister’s Department that manages the Halal Hub Division, and is the sole authority given the mandate to issue the Malaysia Halal certification. JAKIM is responsible in ensuring that all Malaysia Halal-certified products and premises comply with the Islamic principles and guidelines stipulated within the Malaysia Halal Certification.
JAKIM’s functions cover the enforcement of Malaysia Halal certification guidelines and Trade Description Act 2011 (Halal) along with the recognition of other Halal certification bodies around the world. With this regard, JAKIM has established the following initiatives to support their roles and functions:

  • Halal Professional Board (HPB)
  • International Halal Authority Board (IHAB)
  • Halal International Research Academy (HIRA)
  • Malaysia Institute Halal Academy (MIHA)
  • Halal Innovation and Technology Centre (HITEC)

| www.halal.gov.my
3. Majlis Agama Islam Negeri (MAIN) / Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri (JAIN)
With the introduction of Trade Descriptions Act 2011, the Majlis Agama Islam Negeri (or State Islamic Religious Council – MAIN) is another authority which has the right to endorse and issue the Malaysia Halal certification. MAIN oversees Halal monitoring and enforcement at the state level, including all activities related to the Muslim’s social and economic wellbeing. | http://www.islam.gov.my/63-pautan-luaran/155-senarai-jain-main-pejabat-mufti

4. Department of Standards Malaysia (JSM)
JSM plays an important role in assisting the development of the Malaysian Halal Industry by developing the Malaysia Standard (MS) for both Halal food and non-food products. Standards Malaysia also promotes Halal Industry leaders within its global awareness of the Malaysia Halal Standard. | www.jsm.gov.my

5. Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism (MDTCC)
MDTCC is responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of programmes that ensure the preservation of Halal integrity within the scope of the Malaysia Halal certification. MDTCC and JAKIM had established a special committee between them as a way to address issues concerning the domestic use of the Malaysia Halal logo. With effect from January 2012, in accordance to the revised Trade Description Act 2011, only the Malaysia Halal logo is accepted and recognised for use in the country. MDTCC, with the cooperation of JAKIM and MAIN, consistently conduct random inspections to ensure the authenticity of the Halal standard and logo used.
MDTCC also encourages the public to lodge a report of false or misleading Halal certification and logo used for immediate actions. Under the Control of Slaughter Rules 1975, all meat and livestock products imported into the country must be Halal certified and that the products must originate from slaughterhouses that have been inspected and approved by both the Department of Veterinary (DVS) as well as JAKIM. | www.kpdnhep.gov.my

6. Department of Chemistry Malaysia (DOC)
The Malaysian Department of Chemistry (DOC) is a leader in Halal product analysis and traceability. It has played an important role in analysing Halal product composition. Additionally, DOC is supporting JAKIM in analytical science that concerns Halal food safety issues. | www.kimia.gov.my

7. Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)
The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) is an agency of the Federal Government under the Ministry of Agriculture. One of its primary roles is to ensure that processing plants for animal-based products comply with the animal health and food safety principles, as stated under the Veterinary Health Mark Scheme.
DVS is also responsible in providing veterinary services that supports the development and growth of all animal industry subsectors, especially in the production of food. This is to ensure that all products of animal origin are not only fit for human consumption, they must also be hygienic, healthy, and wholesome.
The Veterinary Health Mark Logo is a mark of quality and safety. It signifies complete compliance by the plants to the minimum standards for hygiene and sanitation, quality assurance as well as food safety, as set by DVS. The logo is verified through the process of plant inspection, examination and auditing for food safety, quality system and good manufacturing practice programs. | www.dvs.gov.my

8. Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
MoA is responsible in regulating the livestock / agriculture industry (with the exception of commodities such as palm oil). It is tasked to develop and disseminate higher standards within the agriculture industry, in line with consumer health and safety requirements. It also processes incentives for agriculture-based companies and conducts R&D for better breeds and animal feed. | www.moa.gov.my

9. SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp.)
SME Corp. provides matching grants to SMEs for Halal product development and product formulation, acquisition of machinery and equipment for sample testing, renovation expenditure for compliance to certification requirement, as well as other related costs for compliance to requirements of Halal certification and promotional activities. SME Corp also coordinates SME development in Malaysia by providing financial and technical assistance for Halal related SMEs. | www.smecorp.gov.my

10. Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU)
TERAJU leads the Bumiputera agenda as outlined in the “Bumiputera Economic Transformation Roadmap”, consistent with other National Transformation Plans, including the Economic Transformation Program (ETP), Government Transformation Program (GTP) and Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRI) which transcends ministries and sectors.
It is tasked to coordinate the implementation of Bumiputera’s economic development initiatives through strategic partnerships with government agencies, private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It also identifies, develops and becomes a facilitator for the implementation of key initiatives under the National Key Economic Area (NKEA). | www.teraju.gov.my

** Excerpt from the Occupational Framework Halal Industry (Halal Food Manufacturing, Halal Meat Processing, Halal Logistics and Halal Livestock Production), published by the Department of Skills Development, Ministry of Human Resources, Malaysia in collaboration with Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC). Featured image by MIHAS 2019.