Over 70pct halal cert holders are non-bumi companies

Halal Development Corporation (HDC) Bhd has disclosed that over 70 percent of halal certification holders in Malaysia are non-bumiputera companies.

Its chairperson Khairul Azwan Harun emphasised that this should not be viewed as a problem, as the applications submitted by these companies meet the standards set by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

“Non-bumiputera companies have traditionally dominated the food manufacturing sector, but this is not an issue because they adhere to the standards set by Jakim,” he said.

He added that companies can only submit applications for full halal certification once they have gotten certifications including the Food Safety is the Responsibility of the Industry (Mesti), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).

Khairul was speaking at a press conference after officiating the multaqa (gathering) of the Pasir Salak parliamentary mosque officers at Dewan Kampung Pulau Gajah, in Perak, today.

On Jan 16, HDC CEO Hairol Ariffein Sahari announced that so far only 9,162 companies, across various segments, held halal certification recognition from Jakim.

He noted that of the total, just 1,600 are halal exporters, which remains a modest figure in comparison to the current global halal market, valued at over US$3 trillion.

Meanwhile, Khairul said HDC would redouble its efforts to assist bumiputera companies with the potential to obtain halal certification, thus expanding their product markets internationally.

“HDC is dedicated to empowering local companies, providing them with the necessary support and guidance to obtain halal certification, through various appropriate methods,” he said.

- Bernama

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