From WORLD OF BUZZ | 21 January, 2025

Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC) recently revealed that a majority of Halal certificate holders in Malaysia are actually non-Bumiputera companies, comprising more than 70%. 

HDC chairman Khairul Azwan Harun elaborated that non-Bumiputera companies have traditionally dominated the food manufacturing sector in our country and having them hold over 70% of Halal certificates is not an issue since they adhere to the standards set by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

 These non-Bumiputera companies with Halal certification adhere to JAKIM standards

Source: BERNAMA

Khairul Azwan Harun

BERNAMA quoted Khairul as saying that the applications by these companies meet the standards set by JAKIM, which requires a company to receive recognition from other agencies as well.

He asserted,

“Applications for full Halal certification can only be submitted once a company has received recognition from the Food Safety is the Responsibility of the Industry (MeSTI); Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).”

Khairul added that HDC would redouble its efforts to assist Bumiputera companies with the potential to obtain Halal certifications, thus expanding their products internationally.

Meanwhile, HDC CEO Hairol Ariffein Sahari previously revealed that so far, only 9,162 companies across various segments held Halal certification recognition from JAKIM.

Out of the total, only 1,600 are Halal exporters, which remains a modest figure compared to the current global Halal market which is valued at over USD3 trillion or approximately RM13.43 trillion.