Penang sets up Malaysia’s first state-level halal industry council

Penang has become the first Malaysian state to establish a dedicated council to coordinate and drive the growth of its halal industry, according to Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama.

The Penang Halal Industry Development Council was launched on May 12 and aims to enhance the state’s role as a regional hub for halal production, processing, and exports to ASEAN and global markets. The council’s formation was approved by the State Executive Council on January 22, 2025.

Penang currently has 870 active companies certified under the Malaysian Halal Certification Scheme (SPHM), covering sectors such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, slaughterhouses, and medical devices. The state is also the only one in Malaysia conducting medical device audits aligned with all nine national halal certification schemes.

The new council will serve as a platform to coordinate inter-agency efforts, promote SME capacity building, and support international halal trade and investment initiatives. It is chaired by Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between PHI and the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) to explore collaboration on entrepreneur development through halal certification.

Bernama reports that the council is expected to play a central role in strengthening Penang’s competitiveness in the halal sector and supporting Bumiputera entrepreneurs in accessing global halal markets.