Govt To Continue Improving Halal Certification Process - Zulkifli 

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The government is committed to continuously improving the halal certification process, which has been shortened from several months to 30 days, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) has implemented several initiatives to speed up the approval process, including increasing the number of halal auditors and developing a new system.

“Statistical data shows an increase in both applications and approvals. We are also in the process of developing the MYeHALAL 2.0 system, which will accelerate the process through the use of technology,” he said during the question and answer session.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) on the government’s efforts to ensure transparency and prevent delays that discouraged businesses from applying for halal certification due to the lengthy process.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said the revenue from the halal certification fee has been allocated to various guidance programmes, including the ‘Halal on Track’ programme, which provides facilities and halal clinics to assist industries and businesses in obtaining a halal certificate.

“We are also collaborating with institutions like the Malaysian Highway Authority to assist traders at Rest and Service Areas secure halal certification,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai).

He added that JAKIM collected RM12.15 million in halal certification fees last year, with total collections exceeding RM80 million since 2012.

-- BERNAMA