HDC To Propose The Enactment Of A Halal Act To The Government

Bernama -- The Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC), will propose the enactment of a Halal Act to the government.

Its managing director/chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the corporation was currently in the process of drafting the Act which would help monitor and prevent misuse of the halal certification in the country.

"In Malaysia, we don't have a specific Act for enforcement with regards to the misuse of the halal certification,particularly among restaurant owners," he told reporters here Wednesday.

"We hope with the establishment of the Act, the whole cycle of halal integrity would be protected," he said.

He said the process of drafting the Act is expected to be completed by next year.

Currently, a total of 26 hotels and 500 restaurants nationwide have been granted the halal certification.

The HDC was established in 2006 as a private company fully owned by the Ministry of Finance.It was recently given the responsibility of issuing the Malaysian Halal Certificate, taking over the function from the Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim).

The HDC has been tasked by the government to capitalise on the multi-trillion dollar global halal industry. It has also been handed the mandate to facilitate the growth of the halal economy in Malaysia while making the country the premier referral centre and hub.

This is to be done by providing comprehensive halal certification, research and development as well as infrastructure growth support.

Jamil said the HDC had created a range of halal training programmes to increase understanding and develop human capital within the industry.

He said the training programmes catered to the general public and for both Muslims and non-Muslims.