Malaysia proposes Asean Halal Council launch in September 2027
JAKARTA: Malaysia has proposed the formal establishment and launch of the Asean Halal Council in the country in September 2027 as part of efforts to turn the idea of a regional halal council into a functioning institution, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In a significant move for the halal industry, Malaysia has proposed the launch of the Asean Halal Council in September 2027, aiming to transform the idea into a fully functional institution. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the proposal, suggesting that Malaysia would serve as the council's secretariat, pending agreement from Asean member states and partners, with Indonesia proposed as its inaugural chair.
This idea was first put forward by Malaysia and Indonesia last year, with both countries agreeing in May 2025 to jointly spearhead its formation. The proposal was submitted to the Asean Secretariat and will be brought before the Asean Summit in Manila for endorsement. Zahid emphasized the urgency, stating that the halal economy is expanding rapidly and cannot wait for the region to organize itself.
He viewed the Asean Halal Council as a crucial step towards the proposed World Halal Development Council, with discussions to continue at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur. The proposal comes as Muslim consumer spending across six key sectors reached USD2.6 trillion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD3.56 trillion by 2029, with halal food alone accounting for over USD1.5 trillion in spending.
Zahid highlighted the need for better connectivity among strengths, noting differences in standards, certification, and duplication as barriers that prevent the region from fully capitalizing on the growing demand.
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