BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: From January to July 2026 alone, the Halal Food Control Division of the Department of Syariah Affairs received 1,004 applications for halal certifications for restaurants and permits for food processing factories. Of these, 614 applications were approved, 122 are being processed, 190 are awaiting approval by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB), 23 were granted exemptions, while 55 applications could not be approved for not fulfilling the stipulated requirements.
The increasing number of applications for halal certifications was mentioned by Minister of Religious Affairs Datuk Seri Setia Mohammad Tashim Hassan Saturday (Aug 8) on the fourth day of the Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) Session in his response to questions by LegCo members Mahali Momin and Salleh Bostaman Zainal Abidin on halal verification.
To address the growing number of applications, he said, “The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has streamlined document reviews, inspections and monitoring, while also providing guidance on verified halal ingredients and materials, which can be accessed through the ministry’s website.”
In addition, he added, “Pre-application guidance has been strengthened to help applicants submit complete documentation and meet the requirements from the outset. Alhamdulillah, this has helped reduce delays that may arise during the assessment process.”
He also shared, “The Department of Syariah Affairs entered into a memorandum of understanding with Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) through its Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre on February 2, 2023. Through the Halal Supervisory Partner Programme, 30 UNISSA students underwent industrial training at local slaughterhouses, food processing factories and halal-certified restaurants."
They were engaged to assist with guidance and monitoring of compliance with halal certification requirements at designated premises, he noted.
“UNISSA graduates and individuals with expertise may also provide advisory services, guidance and training to business operators, subject to the prescribed qualifications, competencies and scope of duties. Their role is limited to the preparation stage of the application process and does not take over regulatory functions,” the Minister added
“Premise inspections, supervision of slaughtering processes and enforcement activities will continue to be carried out by the designated authorities. The final decision on halal certificates and halal permits remains with MUIB, in accordance with the enforced legislation.”
Regarding awareness programmes aimed at fostering a culture of self-compliance among food and beverage operators, including non-Muslim operators, he mentioned, “The ministry is implementing several key programmes under the MoRA Strategic Plan 2025–2029, namely Halal Supervisory Strengthening Programme for Halal Supervisors; Halal Compliance Workshop for restaurant operators and food processing factories, including both Muslim and non-Muslim owners; and Halal Awareness Programmes for the public.”
He revealed that in 2025, a total of 2,194 participants took part in these programmes. From January to July 30, 2026, a further 1,487 individuals had participated, with the target for the year reaching 2,974 participants by December, representing an increase of approximately 36 per cent.
He highlighted, ”The ministry believes that a culture of self-compliance can be strengthened through continuous education, awareness and understanding. In this regard, the Halal Compliance Workshop will continue to be expanded in collaboration with UNISSA to enhance the preparedness of business operators in meeting halal certification requirements.”
With regard to the assessment mechanism to effectively reduce cases of non-compliance, he said, “The ministry assesses implementation and compliance levels through several indicators. At present, two main groups of indicators are being used: Preventive Indicators, which include the monitoring coverage rate, as well as participation in awareness programmes and training; and Enforcement Indicators, which include the number of notices and compliance directives issued, as well as the number of cases resulting in court convictions.”
From 2018 to July 2026, he revealed, “A total of eight serious cases of non-compliance were convicted in court. However, the majority of cases were resolved at the notice and compliance directive stage without the need for court proceedings.
“For example, throughout 2025, a total of 720 warning notices and compliance directives were issued, of which 716 were complied with without requiring further action through the courts.”
Meanwhile, from January to July 2026, of the 510 notices issued, 509 were compliant with by the operators without the need for further court action. He also mentioned, “It should be noted that the warning notices were issued to different restaurants and not to a single establishment.
“Most of the offences for which notices were issued involved failure to notify the authorities of additional ingredients or menu items. Cases referred to the courts for further action involved serious offences including the use of ingredients or substances derived from pork, alcohol, or meat of questionable halal status.” - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
