Malaysia’s Islamic authorities are intensifying efforts to safeguard the integrity of halal certification nationwide. The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has joined forces with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to strengthen monitoring and enforcement against certificate holders violating halal regulations.
Recent incidents, including the revocation of halal certificates from two Melaka hotels for hosting alcohol-related events, have prompted stricter oversight. Jakim Director-General Sirajuddin Suhaimee emphasized zero tolerance for such violations, urging all state Islamic departments to conduct similar enforcement operations.
Jakim is also streamlining halal certification processes to reduce approval times, with some applications now processed within a week. This move aligns with Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi’s earlier directive to shorten processing periods to 15 working days, boosting Malaysia’s halal industry efficiency.
The agency remains committed to upholding halal standards while ensuring businesses benefit from faster certification. Authorities stress that compliance is non-negotiable, as any breach undermines public trust in Malaysia’s halal ecosystem.