Photo: Malaysia – (L-R) Senator Dato’ Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Bin Dato’ Dusuki, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Islamic Affairs, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom / MOHD YUSNI ARIFFIN / New Straits Times
Wed Oct 26, 2016 | 12:28pm | KUALA LUMPUR
The rights of halal industry players are being given due consideration by the Malaysia Halal Council, which has been set up to address wider issues pertaining the halal industry.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, said their suggestions will be taken into account by the council, which is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He said this is necessary as the council has been set up to develop the halal industry not only in the country but also at international level with Malaysia as an industry leader.
“The council is also coordinating with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) which are working closely with the industry players,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time in Parliament today.
Jamil Khir was replying to a question from Datuk Norah Abdul Rahman (BN-Tanjong Manis) who asked the prime minister to state the current development of the Malaysia Halal Council since it was announced in February this year to replace the Special Cabinet Committee on Management and Halal Industry Development.
In reply to a supplementary question from Idris Ahmad (Pas-Bukit Gantang), Jamil Khir said the authorities will conduct periodical audits on companies which had been given halal certifications.
This is to ensure that the companies would adhere to the terms and conditions of the halal certification at all times.
Upon application to renew their two-year halal certification, the audit process will also check the companies’ track record, he said.
At the same time, he said people should not go overboard in making jokes from food names as it can hurt the feeling of others.
Popular food chain Auntie Anne’s recently found itself in the centre of attention when it was alleged that among the reasons its halal certification was pending, was because one of its food items was named “Pretzel Dog”.
