THE Penang Halal International (PHI), a state agency formed in 2008, is encouraging more companies to apply for halal certification.
State Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim said a total of 1,575 companies in Penang are halal-certified holders.
“We encourage businesses to apply for halal certification. We don’t force them. There is a confusion that halal certification is for Muslims only. In Penang, 70% of the halal-certified holders are non-Muslim.
“Halal certification is a universal standard that takes ESG (environment, social and governance) into consideration. It emphasises healthy and quality food or products,” Abdul Halim told reporters after opening an engagement session between stakeholders and joint organisers PHI and the Halal Management Division of the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP) at St Giles The Wembley Hotel today.
The session was attended by 150 participants, who were representatives from halal-certified companies and non-halal-certified companies, entrepreneurs, non-government agencies, civil servants and the general public.
PHI investment and research officer Nazirah Hassan, who was present, added that the Malaysian Halal Certificate Scheme includes food products and beverages, food premises, pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, consumer goods, logistics, slaughterhouses, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and medical devices.
Abdul Halim said the engagement session was important to get feedback and see what they could do to support the stakeholders.
He also urged the local halal industry players to tap into the Asean market of more than 600 million people.
Abdul Halim said Malaysia could not keep on relying on the import of food, adding that the country imported a staggering RM63 billion worth of food in 2021 compared to RM55 billion in 2020.
He said any company interested to apply for halal certification could submit its application directly to PHI, on the 44th floor in Komtar, instead of going through consultants.
Also present at the engagement session were JHEAIPP chief assistant director Norliza Muhammad, PHI chief executive officer Fazil Irwan Som, state SME Corporation director Nurul Zahirah Ayob and JAKIM chief assistant director Faizal Mohamad.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud