Jakim calls for consideration of dedicated Halal Act to strengthen enforcement
KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider introducing a dedicated Halal Act to strengthen enforcement and address misuse of halal logos, terms and claims.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) Director-General Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee has suggested the government should contemplate a dedicated Halal Act to bolster enforcement and tackle misuse of halal logos, terms and claims. Sirajuddin noted the proposal for a more robust Halal Act had been a recurring topic of discussion due to its potential to enhance Malaysia's halal regulatory framework.
He emphasized that a specific act could offer clearer, more comprehensive powers within a unified legal structure, eliminating the need for multiple separate statutes.
According to Dr Sirajuddin, the proposal could also fortify enforcement against the improper use of halal logos, terms and claims, including by non-halal industry entities. Currently, Malaysia's halal regulations are governed by several statutes, including the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (Act 730) and its subsidiary legislation, such as the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011 and the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011.
Additionally, halal oversight is complemented by the Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual (MPPHM), standards and guidelines issued by Jakim, and laws enforced by relevant ministries and local authorities.
While Dr Sirajuddin acknowledged that existing legal provisions, particularly Sections 28 and 29 of Act 730, provided a solid foundation for regulating halal descriptions in Malaysia, he recognized that the diverse array of laws had created coordination and enforcement challenges. He highlighted that the halal industry's rapid evolution and multi-sectoral nature necessitated a flexible legal framework.
Consequently, he suggested that a dedicated Halal Act might serve as a solution to consolidate and clarify the legal landscape, especially as the industry expands beyond food products into various economic sectors.
However, Dr Sirajuddin stressed that the immediate priority should remain strengthening the existing legal framework, especially in enforcement, prosecution and inter-agency cooperation, to ensure that cases of halal certification and claim misuse are addressed more rigorously and effectively.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
