SEPANG: Malaysia has developed Malaysia International Halal Authorities and Bodies System (MyIHAB) to integrate online registration and management system with a fully centralised database of the Department of Islamic Development’s (Jakim) Halal Ecosystem Solution, the first of its kind in the world.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the system, launched on Tuesday night, was a starting point for Malaysia to move forward towards establishing the International Halal Accreditation Board in the near future.
“Hence, this shows that the Government is highly concerned on the role played by the Recognised Halal Certification Bodies (RHCBs) in empowering Malaysian Halal Certification,” he said in his welcoming remarks at the Eighth Halal Certification Bodies Convention in Sepang on Tuesday.
Malaysia has 67 RHCBs from 40 countries, all of whom were committed to developing the halal industry worldwide by empowering halal certification with the global economy.
In doing so, he said important measures had been taken to preserve integrity, impartiality, confidentiality and high awareness of halal certification.
“We need to bear in mind that responsibility must always be implemented to guarantee our credibility as halal certifiers, as well as to convince our customers and partners, Muslims and non-Muslims alike,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia remained committed to becoming a significant player in the global halal market, and ultimately a world halal hub.
“As Muslims, it is our duty to enhance and further promote halal to become a premium brand, one that is associated with quality, safety and good health.
“InsyaAllah (God willing), through the development of the halal industry and economy, we will see positive impact of Islam and Muslims in business and commerce around the globe,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid said halal was already an inherent brand with a large captive market.
“The demand for halal food and product is not small. Last year alone, some RM37.02bil was marketed in countries in South-East Asia, the Middle East, China and many other countries.
“The quest for halal products in rising and we are targeting about RM40bil of it this year,” he said.
He said Malaysia was also committed to developing the capacity or ability of RHCBs through various development programmes, coaching and consultation.
Among the countries that had benefited were Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Cambodia, the Philippines, China, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Latin America, Spain, West Europe and African countries, he said.