PUTRAJAYA: The application for halal certification in Malaysia remains voluntary, with no law mandating any party to apply for it, says Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee.
He said the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) is open to any party willing to comply with the relevant standards, requirements and laws.
“It adds value to certificate holders by demonstrating a high level of commitment to consistently adhere to halal certification standards and requirements,” Sirajuddin said in a statement yesterday.
Addressing the move by a local authority (PBT) to require food and beverage operators to hold SPHM certification before renewing their business licences, Sirajuddin described it as the PBT’s initiative to increase the number of SPHM holders under its jurisdiction.
However, he urged the PBT to provide clear and comprehensive explanations to prevent confusion among operators and the public, Bernama reported.
Sirajuddin also noted that Jakim, alongside state religious authorities, actively encourages operators to apply for SPHM while fostering strategic collaborations with various guiding agencies at both the federal and state levels.
“This is because being an SPHM holder guarantees the quality of products or services, and adds value to businesses by broadening market opportunities,” he added.
