PETALING JAYA: The Kelantan Malay Restaurant Operators Association (Permeka) is appealing to the state government to postpone the requirement for Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) until January 2026.
Its chairman Nik Hassan Mohd Zain said many restaurant owners were unaware of the requirement until renewing their business licences.
"We are appealing for a postponement as many of the traders are not ready.
"In fact, the authorities should issue notices six months in advance through a circular or on social media before the application is made," Sinar Harian quoted Nik Hassan as saying on Sunday (Oct 8).
Nik Hassan also suggested that all traders receive awareness and education throughout 2025 with a compulsory course on the matter before they qualify to apply.
"Furthermore, restaurant operators face financial difficulties and need more time to prepare everything required as a condition for the licence."
He says local authorities should also study the time stipulated, as many operators are involved in small and medium-scale industries and may not be able to prepare in a short time due to high costs.
"We need to get SPHM from suppliers, which may take more than three months, especially if it involves ingredients from foreign countries, including Thailand," he said.
Nik Hassan says he has written to the Kota Baru Municipal Council president to discuss the issues faced by operators regarding the application of halal certificates.
"The matter also needs to be discussed with the Kelantan Islamic Affairs Department (Jaheaik), especially regarding the need for the halal certificate," he added.
Earlier, there were reports that Kelantan had made it compulsory for premises operators and owners serving Muslim customers to have SPHM as a condition to renew their business licences.
