@ Halal | January-February . 2025

ASEAN Halal Roundtable Dialogue , organised in part by JAKIM .

JAKIM ’ s expanding role in ASEAN halal development

BY ZAFIRAH ZAFRUDDIN

Since the early 2000s , the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia ( JAKIM ) has been a leading advocate for the harmonisation of halal standards .

“ Malaysia was the first nation to establish a comprehensive halal certification standard , setting a benchmark that has influenced neighbouring countries such as Indonesia , Singapore , and Brunei ,” stated JAKIM Director-General Dato ’ Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee .

At present , Malaysia is focused on addressing inconsistencies in halal certification across ASEAN , which have increased the risk of forgery and expired halal approvals . Key initiatives , as outlined by JAKIM , include :

• Collaborations with International Bodies JAKIM promotes mutual recognition of halal certification among ASEAN member states by working with international bodies such as the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries ( SMIIC ). This will streamline trade , reduce trade barriers , and mitigate the risks of fraud and certification inconsistencies , thereby instilling greater trust .

• Capacity Building for ASEAN Certification Bodies To ensure effective implementation and enforcement of harmonised halal standards , JAKIM will provide training and technical support to halal certification bodies across ASEAN .

• Regional Consensus JAKIM will focus on dialogue and cooperation to navigate the differing regional perspectives on halal standards , such as the definition of halal food .

• Leveraging Advanced Technologies JAKIM is exploring the use of advanced technologies such as blockchain to enhance traceability and authenticity in the halal supply chain . A secure and transparent digital system will minimise risks of forgery while maintaining consumer trust .

REGIONAL & GLOBAL TIES

The ASEAN Halal Secretariat serves as a platform for dialogue and consensus-building , connecting Malaysia with key stakeholders across ASEAN and beyond . This includes governmental authorities , industry associations , and certification bodies .

That is to say , the ASEAN Halal Secretariat is expected to strengthen Malaysia ’ s domestic halal ecosystem and promote global acceptance of its halal standards .

A key strategy in this effort is continuous engagement with industry leaders through structured roundtable discussions . These discussions will ensure that new halal certification schemes align with industry needs .

Sirajuddin noted the significance of this approach , citing the development of Malaysia ’ s halal standard for medical devices as an example .

“ We work closely with industry players when developing new procedures and certification schemes . I still remember when we first introduced Malaysia ’ s halal standard for medical devices ; it took multiple roundtable discussions to come to a shared understanding of the importance of halal certification .”

Besides that , the ASEAN Halal Secretariat also plays a key role in forging bilateral and multilateral agreements that underpin Malaysia ’ s halal framework . These agreements , often formalised as Memoranda of Understanding ( MoUs ) or Memoranda of

“ We work closely with the Australian Government through platforms like the Animal and Animal Products Technical Working Group ( AAPTWG ) and Halal Task Force Meeting to address these key areas .”

Cooperation ( MoCs ), facilitate international cooperation .

The 2023 MoC with Saudi Arabia , for instance , has helped establish mutual recognition of halal certifications for local products , facilitating smoother trade and regulatory alignment .

These international collaborations also contribute to the broader goal of ensuring halal compliance in the supply chain , particularly in agriculture and halal-certified abattoirs .

“ We work closely with the Australian Government through platforms like the Animal and Animal Products Technical Working Group ( AAPTWG ) and Halal Task Force Meeting to address these key areas ,” said Sirajuddin .

Multiple Malaysian government agencies , including the Malaysia Halal Council Secretariat , are actively involved in this coordination . The Malaysia Halal Council Secretariat also collaborates with the Department of Veterinary Services ( DVS ) to evaluate and approve foreign abattoirs , ensuring they meet Malaysian halal requirements .

In its ongoing efforts to ensure a seamless global halal supply chain , JAKIM has granted recognition to 88 foreign halal certification bodies in 49 countries .

With this recognition , consumers can be confident in the halal integrity of imported foreign-certified products .

“ To maintain this integrity , we conduct comprehensive site inspections to verify that all ingredients and raw materials meet halal standards at every stage of production .”

JAKIM , therefore , relies on reputable and credible foreign halal certification bodies to act as its representatives , ensuring continuous oversight . –