BY ZAFIRAH ZAFRUDDIN

The event is organised by the Selangor State Islamic Affairs and Innovation Culture and overseen by HIS Toyyiba Sdn Bhd , a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor ( Incorporated ) MBI , also known as Halal International Selangor ( HIS ).

SELHAC 2024 plays a crucial role in developing the halal sector in both Selangor and Malaysia .

This year , SELHAC prioritises three key areas : accelerating halal certification processes , optimising halal supply chain logistics , and adopting halal digital innovations .

Selangor Executive Councillor for Islamic Affairs and Innovation Culture , Dr Fahmi Ngah , discussed the interconnectedness of these domains and their collective impact on the halal ecosystem .

Fahmi emphasised the need to accelerate

Dr Fahmi Ngah

halal certification processes . The federal government has aimed to reduce the certification period by 50 per cent , from approximately 60 days to 30 days .

This goal has been supported by several pilot projects that have successfully met the 30-day target .

There is a strong desire to exceed this target at the State level . The State has demonstrated through various Proof of Concepts ( POCs ) that a 20-day certification period is achievable .

This shortened period will alleviate the frustrations of small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ).

“ People will be more committed to applying

for the halal certification from JAKIM ,” assured Fahmi .

In response , SELHAC introduces the Certificate of Readiness Assessment ( CRA ) to speed up the halal certification process . The CRA is one of the technological systems that SELHAC aims to advocate for this year .

It ’ s a system that enables preliminary checks , streamlines documentation and prevents application delays .

Fahmi disclosed : “ We ’ re looking at embedding halal traceability solutions into logistics and warehousing to ensure halal assurance .”

It entails adopting technologies to monitor and verify that halal products meet halal standards throughout their lifecycle , from production to distribution .

The Malaysian Halal Certification ( SPHM ) by JAKIM implements this authentication approach .

This approach also assures that products and ingredients adhere to halal standards from the outset . Verifying the halal status at the start of the logistics chain secures the authenticity of the transported goods .

Moreover , the Selangor Islamic Religious Department ( JAIS ) introduced the Sertu Protocol to ensure that halal goods are transported and stored according to halal requirements .

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY This protocol safeguards the halal status of