November-December . 2022 | @ HalalSpecial Edition
COVER STORY
Selangor Halal
05
There are 2,000 halalcertified products there . Another 2,000 products have yet to obtain their halal certification . We aim to help these entrepreneurs who find difficulties in obtaining the halal certification . In 2023 , we want to add more halal SKUs .” branch in every district . At the meeting , we met with many Indonesian industry players .”
Zawawi said the input they received from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation ( MATRADE ) and the embassy benefitted them . The information will be shared with entrepreneurs in Malaysia , especially Selangor , to follow the proper guidelines in exporting their products to avoid any scams .
On their trip to Kerala , India , he shared : “ India is one of the markets with huge halal potential . There are almost 180 million Muslims in India . It is a huge number .”
“ Some companies expressed their interest in working with us . We ’ re still discussing the products that can be marketed in India and what raw materials we can source from there .
“ Australian industry also allows the Selangor government to be involved in modern slaughterhouses . It is good for food security issues .”
The Standing Committee also worked with Selangor Media Association . It brought media practitioners , bloggers and social media influencers to explore the various halal segments available in Selangor - food and beverages , modest fashion , cosmetics , etc . From the coverage received through the programme , the public would be more aware of the availability of halal products in the State .
Approaching the public and industry The Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs , Consumer Affairs and Halal Industry Standing Committee not only works to expand its network and attract halal investments but also puts consumers and rakyat at the core of its halal initiatives . As evident , the Standing Committee organised various halal programmes which benefit the people in Selangor , such as Halal Suri and Selangor Halal Vouchers . Touching on the Selangor Halal Vouchers , Zawawi described the programme as ‘ serampang dua mata ’, where it serves as financial assistance to the needy and helps stimulate the halal economy . The programme also helps raise halal awareness among the public , be they Muslims or non-Muslims .
With the cooperation from Halal International Selangor ( HIS ) and Selangor Islamic Religious Department ( JAIS ), the Standing Committee successfully organised the Best Slaughterhouse Awards for the first time .
“ The awards encouraged slaughterhouses in the State to apply for halal certification . In Selangor , we have more than 100 slaughterhouses , but only eight premises are halal-certified . The usual challenge in obtaining halal certification for these premises was the status of the land used .
“ In our last dialogue , we invited local authorities to explain the procedures to apply for halal certification to industry players . We are still looking for the solutions for issues faced by players in this industry .”
The Standing Committee also had a programme called PELAPAH which informed people about the necessary knowledge regarding slaughtering . The Committee invited the representatives from the Department of Veterinary Services and Mufti Department to give explanations and guidance about the best way to carry out the slaughtering process . The programme emphasises the ihsan element in dealing with animals .
POSITIVE GROWTH OF SELANGOR ’ S HALAL INDUSTRY
Zawawi said the achievements of the Standing Committee in 2022 could be described as good as they successfully adjusted to the challenges served by the Covid-19 pandemic . As evident , he elaborated that the trips to the various countries achieved their objectives of building networks in the halal industry .
Touching on Selangor ’ s halal product market , Zawawi said : “ We do not have the data of products sold , etc . However , we look at the products ’ stockkeeping units ( SKUs ) at the Kohijrah Mart , where all Selangor ’ s products are placed .”
“ There are 2,000 halal-certified products there . Another 2,000 products have yet to obtain their halal certification . We aim to help these entrepreneurs who find difficulties in obtaining the halal certification . In 2023 , we want to add more halal SKUs .”
Most of the time , the local entrepreneurs fail to comply with the premise requirement for halal certification as they often operate on agricultural land , etc . To solve this issue , Zawawi revealed that the team had discussed with Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor ( PKNS ) the availability of affordable and suitable premises which these entrepreneurs could rent .
He noted the economic challenges that the industry would face in 2023 and said businesses must be more cautious in making investments .
“ Entrepreneurs need to look at the bigger picture . They need to be more cautious in making investments and continuously enhance their products ’ quality to be more competitive in the global market .” – Special Edition