PASIR SALAK: Over 70% of halal certification holders in Malaysia are non-bumiputra companies, according to the Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC).
“Non-bumiputra companies have traditionally dominated the food manufacturing sector, but this is not an issue because they adhere to the standards set by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim),” said HDC chairman Khairul Azwan Harun.
“Applications for full halal certification can only be submitted once a company receives the Malaysian Food Safety System (MeSTI), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certifications,” he added, Bernama reported.
On Jan 16, HDC chief executive officer Hairol Ariffein Sahari announced that so far, only 9,162 companies, across various segments, held halal certification recognition from Jakim.
He said of the total, just 1,600 were halal exporters – which remains a modest figure in comparison to the current global halal market, valued at over US$3 trillion (RM13.5 trillion).
