SEPANG: Malaysia has developed a system to fully integrate online registration and management system that further empower the halal industry.
Known as the Malaysia International Halal Authorities and Bodies System (MyIHAB), it is a fully centralised database under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim)’s Halal Ecosystem Solution and first of its kind.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was a starting point for Malaysia to move forward towards establishing an International Halal Accreditation Board in the near future.
“This shows the government is highly concerned on the role played by the Recognised Halal Certification Bodies in empowering the Malaysian Halal Certification,” he said during his welcoming remarks at 8th Halal Certification Bodies Convention here yesterday.
Zahid said in doing so, important measures had been taken to preserve integrity, impartiality, confidentiality and high awareness of Halal certification.
“We need to bear in mind that responsibility must always be implemented to guarantee our credibility as Halal certifiers and to convince our customers and partners, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“It has always been our hope and vision that Halal Certification will have a brighter future ahead,” he added.
Apart from the MyIHAB system, Zahid also launched an e-book on harmonisation of Halal standard.
Last year alone, about RM37.02 billion worth of halal products were marketed in among others, South East Asia, the Middle East and China, he said.
The quest for halal products is rising and Malaysia targeted RM40 billion in halal exports this year, he added.
Zahid said Malaysia remained committed to become a significant player in the global halal market and ultimately to become a world halal hub.
“As Muslims, it is our duty to enhance and further promote halal products to become a premium brand, one that is associated with quality, safety and good health.
“Insya-Allah (God willing), through the development of the halal industry and economy, we will see a positive impact of Islam and Muslims in business and commerce around the globe,” he added.
In order to make Malaysia a global halal leader by 2020, Zahid said Jakim has taken proactive measures to expand the scope of international certification.
“The process of auditing and monitoring of applications for International Halal Certification will be carried out by Jakim’s audit office while Recognised Halal Certification Bodies will act as a monitoring agent for International Halal Certification on behalf of the our government abroad,” he added.
He said Malaysia is also committed to develop the capacity or ability of the Recognised Halal Certification Bodies through various development programmes, coaching and consultation.
Among the countries that had benefitted were Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Cambodia, the Philippines, China, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Latin America, Spain, West Europe and African countries, he said.
He said the convention also launched its first International Halal Technical Capacity Development programme (IHTCDP) to share knowledge and expertise in technical and Syariah aspects.
Some 1,000 industry players and stakeholders from 40 countries including Malaysia attended the two-day convention.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Jakim director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapa.
