We are a ‘halal’ food product manufacturer that applied to enter the ‘Halal Anchor Company Award’ promoted by the Halal Industry Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (HDC). As a company which has gone through the audit exercise and evaluation of our organisational performance, we have now come to realise that the whole exercise is filled with flaws as listed below:

1. The evaluation of the organisation with respect to the criteria assessment was not done based on our company’s documented evidence. We were, in fact, asked to fill in the evaluation forms ourselves and we were at liberty to determine our own performance measure as we please.

Where is the objectivity or even independent and professional ethics here? If we could provide false information, how do they verify? Thus what is the decision-making process based on?

2. Auditors sent to our premise were not industry-competent and in some instances, could not even interpret or elaborate on the application of some of the evaluation criteria. There were questions that they couldn't even answer. If it is not within their capacity to provide comprehensive explanation on some of the criteria, what is the basis of sending them to conduct the audit?

3. We know of companies that had been visited many times by HDC, but strangely until now, they still cannot decide on the award winners and this might be due to the fact that from the rumors that we heard, the winners had been predetermined. But somehow, other companies in the running are much better in some of the criteria.

4. We were not surprised at all when the second finance minister stated recently that Malaysia had lost her first-mover advantage in the ‘halal’ industry as HDC, the main body entrusted by the government to consolidate the advantage, was busy putting up events after events like the ‘Halal Anchor Company’ for show instead of developing the ‘halal’ industry players in the real sense. It is a slap to our faces.

We do not hold any grudge against any SME that would eventually be awarded the Halal Anchor Company but we are frustrated with the manner in which HDC conducted the programme and the selection or evaluation process. We were made known that the HAC award carries financial benefits of up to RM1million per company which makes up close to RM4 million for the four HACs.

Imagine what this RM 4million could do to improve the capacity or well-being of other SMEs or micro-business entities that are in dire need of assistance. Some of the SMEs who attended the judging held recently at the One World Hotel on Nov 12 told us that the criteria set by HDC was all over the place.

We thought that the Halal Anchor Company would be made up of a company with a good vendor programme in place. How come then manufacturers with no vendors could also qualify to be short-listed? We, the SMEs, are close-knit and we exchange notes.

Then there is HDC’s Best Halal Innovation Award. Here again is another ‘event’ they launched but until now, no one from HDC has even presented anything to us. They have not even met with us to explain how we can go about applying for this. Whenever we ask, it's the same answer: ‘Refer to our website’.

If everything is on the website then the government should just run websites. Why bother setting up HDC and have a division called SME Development? This award carries with it various cash awards of almost RM1 million as well. Surely care and attention should be given to ensure the best nominations are entered with such money at stake. Or does HDC not care about the taxpayers?

1. One of the predetermined winners, achieved a 86% score on both evaluation criteria from scorecard two and three. Despite the fact that the person HDC interacted with during the ‘audit’ admitted that the company’score income was not generated from the food business, a score as high as the above will seem inconsistent with organisational performance.

We are evaluating food companies based on their core competencies, not on other complementary investment-holding activities. And how does HDC judge a company that has recently changed ownership, because the above-mentioned campny has been sold.

What does this indicate? Would the owner sell off this company if he perceives a future growth potential? And what can we say about an entrepreneur who partially or fully cashes out on the slightest presentation of offer by another party?

These are important considerations as HDC should be awarding companies based on their performance and future potential under their present ownership or management. New ownerships or managements usually establish new policies and create new directions. The current evaluation results might not apply.

Below are the other companies selected for evaluation:

a. MM Vitaoils Sdn. Bhd

b. Muslim Best Marketing Sdn. Bhd

c. Sidney Cake House Sdn Bhd

d. Kampung Koh Sauce Sdn. Bhd

e. Adabi Consumer Food Industries Sdn Bhd

f. AYS Sri Kulai Sdn Bhd

g. Sal's Food Industries Sdn Bhd

h. Healwell Pharmaceuticals Sdn Bhd

i. Al-Miswak Sdn Bhd

j. Nicko Jeep Mfg Sdn Bhd

See the varied size of companies as well as the output and business? How is HDC comparing them and how can one criteria fit all of them if they come from such diverse industries?

Please treat us industry players with respect and please stop taking us for a ride with the trappings of your glamorous but pseudo-events and publicity.