No discrimination in halal certification: Ahmad Marzuk

KUALA LUMPUR - There is no discrimination by the government against non-Bumiputera companies that produce halal products.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary told the Dewan Rakyat today that as long as companies complies with the requirements in the manual for halal certification, they are entitled to the certificate, regardless of public criticism.

“What’s important is we follow what has been set by the government along with the procedures.

"Every person or any certified business entities deserves the right to get the halal certification,” the Pengkalan Chepa Member of Parliament said during the question and answer session today. Ahmad Marzuk was responding to a question from Fong Kui Lun, PH's Bukit Bintang Member of Parliament, in regards to public comments made by Malay NGOs on halal certification for non-Bumiputera companies and products.

The halal certification is based on the Malaysian standards following local acts, fats and by-laws, he said, adding that the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) had improved on halal certification by complying with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and IEC 17065 for global recognition.

“The country plans become an international halal hub and we are concerned with all aspects of halal certification.

“In January, Jakim strengthened the manual for halal certification to replace the guidelines set in 2014," he said.