KUALA LUMPUR – Local authorities cannot impose mandatory halal certification on food and beverage operators as a condition for renewing their business licenses, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
The minister stressed that such a condition would overstep the jurisdiction of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which plays a crucial role in halal certification matters.
“The Cabinet has decided that while the government encourages businesses to apply for halal certification, (Putrajaya) does not make it mandatory,” Nga was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian after an event in Perak today.
“It must be made clear that (halal certification) cannot be forced, (as) we only encourage it. As such, local authorities should respect this and refrain from contravening the Cabinet’s decision as the nation’s highest executive body.”
Nga made these remarks in response to the Kelantan state government’s move to mandate halal certification for all food and beverage operators in the PAS-led state before renewing their business licenses with local authorities.
The state’s Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information, and Community Relations Committee chairman, Mohd Asri Mat Daud, said yesterday that the mandatory condition is initially being implemented by the Kota Bharu Municipal Council.
However, he did not clarify whether the ruling applies to non-Muslim-owned food businesses.
Meanwhile, Nga noted that making halal certification compulsory for food operators would complicate operations and burden small businesses.
He highlighted that small traders would incur additional costs to fulfil the requirements for license renewal.
“Halal certification already costs thousands of ringgit. Renewing the certification involves annual audits, which also incur costs.
“We live in a multiracial country, so we must also consider the needs of non-Malay operators who sell non-halal food,” he added.
In September, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the Cabinet had agreed to maintain the current voluntary halal certification policy.
Zahid, who is also the Halal Industry Development Council chairman, said food operators are encouraged to secure halal certification to access a larger market and assure Muslim customers that their premises are compliant. – December 27, 2024