Malaysia: New harmonisation body will take the ‘joke’ out of profit-seeking Halal certification

Photo: Malaysia’s halal logo on a restaurant glass wall. New Straits Times / File pix

The Malaysia-backed International Halal Authority Board (IHAB) sets out to restore focus on serving the Muslim community after era of profit seeking.

The inauguration of the International Halal Authority Board (IHAB) in Kuala Lumpur on April 3 came at a time when a large number of observers believes a “sea change” is needed in halal accreditation and certification.

Halal administration is in danger of becoming a big moneymaking industry in its own right, according to many of the representatives of the 69 certification bodies from 42 countries recognised by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) who were present at IHAB’s first general assembly, as well as overseas standards and accreditation bodies also in attendance.