US trade deal: PAS MP wants halal assurance from Jakim

PARLIAMENT | An opposition lawmaker today demanded Putrajaya’s assurance that its trade deal with the US would have no binding effects on Malaysia’s halal certification system.

In his speech at the Dewan Rakyat, Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai) raised his concern over Article 2.5 of the “Agreement Between US and Malaysia On Reciprocal Trade”, which stipulates Malaysia “shall not restrict US market access due to the mere use of the individual cheese and meat terms listed in Annex II”.

Annex II lists 39 types of cheese, including blue, mozzarella, cheddar, and Swiss, and 10 types of meat such as black forest ham, bratwurst, chorizo, and salami.

“If this is really binding, then it would be totally against the MS1500 standards (on general halal food) in our country.

“And how much was the Religious Affairs Department under the Prime Minister’s Department included in the negotiation with Miti (Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry) when creating this clause?” Idris asked when debating the 2026 Supply Bill at the committee stage.

“Won’t this deal jeopardise Jakim’s halal status? Because Jakim’s halal (certification) has been recognised globally for its thoroughness in terms of Islamic law and international standards.

“Today, this august house wants the department in charge of religious affairs to give an affirmation that Jakim’s halal (regulations) would not be bound by the content of this Article 2.5, because this involves matters of ‘halal haram’ especially for Muslims,” said the former religious affairs minister.

The government signed the reciprocal trade deal with the US last week during US President Donald Trump’s visit in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Putrajaya had come under fire for signing the agreement, which critics argued was lopsided and allegedly jeopardised Malaysia’s sovereignty and interests.

Amid concerns raised over the issue of halal status involving future imports from the US, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar reportedly said all foreign halal certification bodies, including those from the US, are still subject to Malaysia’s halal requirements.

Reporting by Hariz Mohd, Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain, Shakira Buang

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