MUIS Implements Various Initiatives To Boost Halal Certification In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) is implementing various initiatives to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs and industry players to secure halal certification.

MUIS chief executive officer and secretary Ramlan Awang Ali said that these initiatives, carried out in collaboration with several agencies such as the Sabah Economic Development Corporation and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), include awareness talks on the importance of obtaining halal certification.

Ramlan, who also serves as the Sabah Malaysia Halal Certification Committee chairman, said that MUIS has been proactive in accelerating the halal certification process by increasing its workforce, which now comprises 13 audit officers and 23 monitoring officers, and by launching the Halal Sabah application.

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“We hope these efforts will further elevate awareness among local entrepreneurs, especially micro-entrepreneurs, and encourage them to pursue halal certification within the state.

“The process of obtaining halal certification is not overly complicated or impossible, but it does require a strong commitment from the applicants,” he told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of the International Halal Symposium 2024 here today.

A total of 106 participants from 14 countries attended the two-day programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah through the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, aimed at exploring the latest advancements, challenges and opportunities within the vast and dynamic halal ecosystem to advance the halal industry further.

Ramlan said that MUIS also strives to ensure the prompt completion of the halal certification process in Sabah, including verification, endorsement and approval for companies that have undergone audits every two weeks.

This is to enable entrepreneurs to fully benefit from the halal certification, he said, while noting that applicants must submit complete and compliant documents according to the criteria set by MUIS to expedite the certification process.

Ramlan also encouraged local entrepreneurs to download the Halal Sabah app to learn more about the application procedures.

“Obtaining halal certification will enhance the integrity of entrepreneurs and boost public confidence in the products they offer while also positively influencing their business image,” he said.

-- BERNAMA