January-February . 2025 | @ Halal

Attendees included representatives from the Asian Institute of Insurance ( Aii ), Life Insurance Association of Malaysia ( LIAM ), Malaysian Takaful Association ( MTA ), and 23 Insurance Companies and Takaful Operators ( ITOs ).

The session highlighted the Professionalism of Insurance and Takaful Agents ( PITA ) programme . Spearheaded by MFPC , the programme is an initiative from Bank Negara Malaysia ( BNM ).

To strengthen the professionalism and advisory skills of insurance and takaful agents in Malaysia , PITA provides training through recognised certifications like the Registered Financial Planner ( RFP ) Module 2 and Shariah RFP Module 2 .

In his address , MFPC President Andy Ng underscored MFPC ’ s dedication to upholding BNM ’ s regulatory standards while promoting collaboration and professionalism .

FEATURING over 202 exhibitors , the Penang International Halal Expo ( PIHEX ) reinforced its position as a key platform for the development of Malaysia ’ s halal economy . The event brought together local entrepreneurs , international businesses , and industry players across various sectors .

Penang Halal International ( PHI ) Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) Azraie Ramli noted the growing interest in halal products and services among non-Muslims . Therefore , holding PIHEX at Seberang Perai , a thriving area with a diverse community , signals a move toward greater inclusivity in the halal industry .

“ This initiative reflects our shared commitment with the Penang State Islamic Religious Council ( MAINPP ) to make the event more accessible to the local community ,” remarked the First Deputy Chief Minister of Penang Dato ’ Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid .

In a first , Malaysian Prime Minister Dato ’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the event , recognising its pivotal role in driving Penang ’ s halal economic sector .

“ I am confident that with the availability of world-class infrastructure and the state government ’ s commitment to building a thriving community , Seberang Perai is well-positioned to become a leading international halal hub ,” he added .

Moreover , the visitor traffic at

MFPC ’ s PITA Teh Tarik Session 2025 .

Furthermore , MFPC Executive Director Chung Kar Yin stated that candidates will now have unlimited free resits for the PITA examination . This move ensures equal opportunities for all agents and encourages continuous professional development . The policy will take effect from Jan 9 and remain in place until Dec 31 , 2025 .

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato ' Seri Anwar Ibrahim visiting a booth at PIHEX .

PIHEX resulted in increased revenue for many participating businesses , empowering micro-entrepreneurs to expand their operations . In addition ,

PIHEX also facilitated connections with government agencies , opening doors for expansion into international markets , particularly China .

PIHEX also generated interest in tourism-related offerings , including Penang ’ s art and unique products . This supports the broader vision of driving the halal economy forward while leveraging the potential of tourism as a catalyst for growth .

Tiong King Sing

THE Ministry of Tourism , Arts and Culture ( MOTAC ), with its agency Tourism Malaysia , recently held an engagement session . This ties into the recently launched Visit Malaysia 2026 ( VM2026 ) campaign , a national effort to position the country as a premier travel destination by 2026 .

Officiated by the Minister of Tourism , Arts and Culture , Dato ’ Sri Tiong King Sing , the session was attended by leading industry stakeholders , associations , airlines , hotel operators , travel agencies and product owners . Senior officials such as MOTAC Secretary-General Datuk Wira Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman and Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy were also present .

The session provided a comprehensive overview of the VM2026 roadmap , focusing on its core strategies of creating demand , increasing traffic , and targeting priority markets .

Details of government funding programmes , including matching grants like Galakan Melancong ( GAMELAN ), Geran Sokongan Sektor Pelancongan ( GSSP ), and Geran Sektor Penerbangan dan Carter ( GSPC ), were also unveiled to boost private-sector involvement in the tourism sector .

The session is followed by a businessmatching session and the exchange of the Certificate of VM2026 Collaboration between Tourism Malaysia and 39 strategic partners .

“ The collaboration between MOTAC with 39 strategic partners from tourism associations , transportation services , and domestic media is a testament to the valuable synergy between the public and private sectors .

“ By working together on joint initiatives and activities , we aim to promote Malaysia ’ s diverse tourism offerings further and position the country as a top travel destination ,” said Sing .

Malaysia has experienced significant growth in Muslim tourism , with 4.82 million Muslim tourists contributing over RM15 billion in expenditures last year . This surge was driven by key markets such as Indonesia , Brunei , Pakistan , Saudi Arabia , and Kazakhstan .

Furthermore , the upcoming launch of IslamiCruise Malaysia-Saudia in January 2026 , targeting 70 per cent of passengers from international markets , is expected to boost the economic impact of this sector . This innovative offering aligns with VM2026 ’ s vision of leveraging Malaysia ’ s strengths in Islamic tourism to capture a larger share of the global market .