HAKS Urges JAKIM To Increase Manpower in Halal Division

JAKIM receives a courtesy visit from the Persatuan Hak Pengguna Sejahtera (HAKS)

Persatuan Hak Pengguna Sejahtera (HAKS) has put forward several proposals to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) on measures to strengthen halal-related issues for the public.

The negative public perception surrounding the halal certification process requires more effective clarification - Shahir

Its chairman, Shahir Adnan, stated that these proposals were submitted during a recent courtesy visit to JAKIM’s Halal Management Division.

He stated that the negative public perception blaming the halal certification process needs to be clarified more effectively.

“For example, the 30-day period for a company to obtain a halal certificate is very reasonable, as the audit covers all aspects, including ensuring that slaughterhouses are halal, with certified Muslim personnel overseeing the process. The companies supplying raw materials must also be halal, and thousands of ingredients used in hundreds of menu items must comply with halal standards.

“Thus, the issue of halal is not solely related to food involving pork and alcohol.

“Secondly, the government needs to increase manpower in JAKIM’s Halal sector to strengthen resources for research, auditing, and enforcement.

“Thirdly, the NGO (HAKS) proposes the use of automation technology to expedite the screening process of raw materials by leveraging collected data,” he said in a statement.

Shahir highlighted that JAKIM’s Halal Division is clearly dedicated to delivering efficient, prompt, and credible Malaysian Halal Certification services

Meanwhile, Shahir noted that JAKIM’s Halal Division is evidently committed to providing efficient, swift, and credible Malaysian Halal Certification services with integrity, while meeting consumer needs based on relevant laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines adopted in the management of the Malaysian Halal Certification process.

To qualify as halal, he stated, food must meet specific criteria, which include that the animal must not originate from or contain any part of an animal prohibited by Islamic law, nor can it be slaughtered in a manner that does not follow Islamic guidelines.

Secondly, he said, the ingredients used must be pure, and halal food must not contain any impurities according to Islamic law.

Thirdly, utensils and equipment must not be prepared, processed, or handled using tools or equipment considered impure by Islamic standards.

Fourth, he stated, there must be segregation to ensure that halal food does not come into contact with non-halal food or impure substances during preparation, processing, or storage.

Source: Malaysia Gazette