Proposed new halal logo in Malaysia for Muslim-made products ‘illegal’- JAKIM

Photo: Supermarket aisle with lens blur / Gyn9037 / Shutterstock.com

KUALA LUMPUR - A new halal logo proposed by Malaysia’s Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) to differentiate products produced by Muslims is illegal, said the director-general of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) on his Facebook page.

The national certifier explained that the proposed new logo contravenes the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (Certification and Marking of Halal), which clearly states that only JAKIM, the Department of State Religious Affairs (JAIN), and State Islamic Religious Council (MAIN) are the only authorities that can issue and manage halal certification in the country.

In his Facebook post, JAKIM director-general Tan Sri Dato’ Othman Mustapha said it is important to ensure that no other parties or individuals issue halal certification without an appointed authority to oversee the process.

“JAKIM will contact RISDA to seek further clarification from them regarding their intention,” Mustapha said in the statement. 

RISDA chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the organization and the Malaysia Institute of International Islamic Cooperation (IKIAM) would introduce the new halal logo at a conference to be attended by representatives from Islamic organizations within and outside the country next year, reported state news agency Bernama on Saturday.

He said the new logo will be issued alongside JAKIM’s but that it will only certify products produced by Muslims.

Zainul Abidin said this will also help to ensure the continuous validity of each halal product since some companies are said to have failed to upkeep their halal operations to the required level once they receive JAKIM’s certification.

RISDA and IKIAM did not elaborate the processes or fees required for these smallholding entrepreneurs to get their products certified.

The parties also did not reveal how they plan to ensure that those who subscribe to their halal logo will ensure their operations maintain the required halal standards.

The new halal logo for Muslim-made products, said Zainul Abidin, will help smallholding entrepreneurs venture into the halal market both locally and overseas.

Local online news site Malaysiakini reported him as saying that only 28 percent of companies that apply for halal certification are Muslim-owned.

The number of companies registered with the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) was only 11 percent, he added.

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