Malaysia is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to establish a unified global halal certification standard, with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealing ambitious plans to make Jakim’s halal logo the international benchmark. The proposal, developed jointly with Indonesia, will be presented at November’s World Halal Council meeting in Riyadh, marking a significant step toward harmonizing halal standards worldwide.
The move comes as Jakim’s stringent certification process gains increasing global recognition, with 88 international halal bodies currently acknowledging its authority. Ahmad Zahid emphasized that Malaysia will not compromise on halal integrity, highlighting ongoing collaborations with 40 countries, including China and GCC nations, which have shown strong support for the initiative.
Beyond standardization efforts, Malaysia is also exploring the creation of an ASEAN Halal Council and a dedicated Halal Commission to further strengthen regional cooperation. Investment Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz noted growing interest from ASEAN, GCC, and Chinese partners seeking Malaysia’s expertise in halal industry best practices.
With Malaysia positioned as a global leader in halal certification, these developments underscore the country’s expanding role in shaping international halal trade policies. The proposed reforms could streamline cross-border commerce while reinforcing Malaysia’s reputation as a trusted authority in Islamic-compliant products and services.