By Ida Lim, themalaymailonline.com
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — There is no need to introduce a new halal logo for Muslim-made products, as announced by the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Corporation (Risda) chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin recently, but the origins of a halal product from either a Muslim or non-Muslim company must still be distinguished, Perkasa said today.
Perkasa’s Islamic affairs bureau chairman Dr Amini Amir Abdullah said the key thing was for locally-made products granted the halal status to comply with the requirements of Islamic law and as certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
“I don’t think we need another logo because Jakim’s logo is already recognised locally and internationally,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted today, adding that Jakim’s halal requirements should be enhanced with loopholes removed and with improved enforcement.
In a statement earlier today, Amini Amir had said that Perkasa feels that “the time has come for us to 
differentiate all halal products whether they have been produced by Muslims or non-Muslims” complying with Jakim’s halal certification standards, noting the need to do so amid non-Muslims’ alleged rush to obtain the halal logo from Jakim.
Amini Amir, however, told Malay Mail Online that distinguishing Muslim-made and non-Muslim made products is not meant to be discriminatory, but would offer Muslim consumers — especially those conscious of products with halal status from non-Muslim companies — freedom of choice.
“It is not a discrimination. It is for the sake of Muslims who are strictly following Islamic teaching,” he said, citing as an example how some Muslims would be concerned when buying from a non-Muslim company that manufactured both alcoholic drinks forbidden to Muslims and halal drinks.
With the same requirements by Jakim for halal certification applicable to Muslim and non-Muslim companies, there would also be no discrimination in the process of obtaining a halal logo, he said.
While insisting that the same halal logo by Jakim be used for all halal products, he disagreed with the use of phrases such as “Muslim company” and “non-Muslim company” on the packaging to show the products’ origins.
When pressed on how consumers would be able to tell if a halal product was Muslim-made without overt displays on the packaging such as through a different logo or origin details, Amini Amir did not specify any plausible method but instead said Jakim should play its role in seeking a solution by having discussions with Muslim and non-Muslim manufacturers.
Even if current laws were amended to allow a new halal logo to be introduced for Muslim-made products, Amini Amir believed that there would not be unfair competition between Muslim companies and non-Muslim companies as consumers nowadays would buy based on the products’ quality.
He conceded that non-Muslim companies may be at a disadvantage when it comes to food, drinks and cosmetics, but also noted their alleged monopoly in certain products in these areas and Muslim consumers’ acceptance of such goods.
He also believed that having an additional logo denoting Muslim-made origin would not give a Muslim company an edge over another Muslim company, as the Jakim-issued halal logo on both companies’ products would be “sufficient” for Muslim consumers.
Last Saturday, the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Corporation (Risda) chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin reportedly said a new halal logo would be issued by the Malaysia International Institute of Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) for Muslim-made halal products, noting that this will aid Muslim entrepreneurs and clear misgivings over the veracity of halal products.
He had reportedly said that too few Muslim entrepreneurs applied for halal certification at only 28 per cent against 72 per cent non-Malay entrepreneurs, while noting that only 11 per cent registered with the government’s Halal Industry Development Corporation to export their products are Muslim companies and the rest are non-Muslim companies.
ARTICLE TWO
Risda’s halal move illegal, says Jakim
By Rahimy Rahim, thestaronline.com
PETALING JAYA: Risda’s move to issue its own halal logo for Muslim-made products contravenes the law, says the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
Jakim director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha said despite the good intentions, Risda (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority) should have sought the necessary permission from the relevant agencies.
Failure to do so contravenes the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, which forbids any other party to issue halal recognition certificates on their own without approval from Jakim.
“If the Malaysia Institute of International Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) and Risda intend to exclusively issue the new logo for Muslim products made by Risda smallholders, then they are contravening the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, which clearly states that only Jakim, Jain and Main are the competent authorities allowed to issue halal certification.
“We will seek further clarification from Risda on its intention to issue its own halal logo,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page yesterday.
Jain and Main are the Islamic affairs departments and councils of each state.
Othman said Jakim is the lawful authoritative agency allowed to issue halal logos.
In response, Risda chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said that it will meet Jakim to seek permission on the matter.
“Please do not jump to conclusions. We will adhere to all the procedures first and get their permission,” he said.
It was reported that Ikiam with the cooperation of Risda will launch a halal logo specifically for Muslim products next year.
It quoted Zahidi as saying that the proposed logo to be issued by Ikiam, that denotes products produced by Muslims, would go hand in hand with the halal logo issued by Jakim.
According to its website, Ikiam is an NGO which organises “welfare development programmes for the ummah (society), education, research and international diplomacy”.
Fomca deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said it was not necessary for another halal logo to be issued by a separate entity.
“Jakim is already in existence. We are concerned whether the proposed items classified under the new proposed halal logo will go through the same vetting process, auditing and standards under Jakim’s requirements,” he said.
Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) chief Datuk Nadzim Johan asked whether Risda’s move would pave the way for other agencies to request for their own halal recognition labels.
“We disagree with the idea. What if other government agencies or ministries want their own halal certifications?” he said.
Consumers Association of Penang president S.M. Mohamed Idris said creating a second halal logo is not a good idea.
“Risda does not belong only to the Muslims.
“It is supposed to be promoting all Malaysian products as well,” he said.
He added that if Risda is allowed to issue a halal logo for products made for Muslims, then others would also be compelled to demand for similar privileges as well.
ARTICLE THREE
Ikiam: New Muslim-only halal logo won’t confuse, issued for free
