PUTRAJAYA: Officers from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will help conduct sessions to assist businessmen interested in obtaining halal certification, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said this was discussed with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom yesterday, who agreed on this.
“The feedback we received from Jakim is that two-thirds of businessmen registered with them are non-Muslims.
“This shows Malaysians understand the potential of halal-certified businesses,” he said after meeting members of the Asean Retail-Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF).
Wee said ARFF had indicated that there were many businessmen who were keen on obtaining halal certification for their products but were unclear about the procedure.
“We want to encourage anyone who wants to do business to obtain Jakim’s halal certification because this trademark is accepted by Muslims around the world,” he said.
Dr Wee also said that ARFF had offered to hold seminars to inform people about the Asean Economic Community (AEC). “The AEC allows for free trade within Asean member countries.”
Other issues discussed with ARFF include tax rates for entertainment outlets, in particular theme parks.
ARFF told Dr Wee that tax rates for different entertainment outlets across the country varied and theme park operators were worried that Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation on top of the 25% entertainment tax would affect them.
Dr Wee said discussions with federal and state governments were needed to regulate the tax for entertainment outlets.
ASEAN Retail Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF)
