Malaysia’s Islamic development agency, JAKIM, is investigating a situation where a hospital contracted a catering company that lacked proper halal certification to provide meals to patients. The investigation was launched after this issue was highlighted in the country’s Auditor-General’s Report.

JAKIM’s Response and Approach

JAKIM’s Director-General, Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, emphasized that the agency is seeking to understand the situation fully and work collaboratively with relevant parties to resolve it without assigning blame. He suggested there may have been confusion or misunderstanding that led to this appointment.

Regulatory Framework and Requirements

The director-general explained that while halal certification oversight at such facilities typically falls to the appointing agency, the Ministry of Finance has clear requirements that all food suppliers must possess halal certification. JAKIM is prepared to help food suppliers obtain the necessary certification and stressed that all agencies must verify halal certificates before making appointments.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

Addressing a broader issue, Sirajuddin noted that some Bumiputera (indigenous Malay) companies mistakenly believe they don’t need halal certification simply because they are Muslim-owned. He emphasized this misconception needs to change, pointing out that JAKIM processed nearly 20,000 halal certification applications last year from various types of companies.

Malaysia’s Halal Certification Goals

The official also highlighted Malaysia’s goal of advancing toward a more digitalized, transparent, and efficient halal certification system that can handle international requirements. He noted that Malaysia’s halal certification is currently recognized in over 47 countries through 85 foreign certification bodies, making it crucial to maintain high standards to preserve this credibility.

Original Article:

BERNAMA. (2025, July 27). Malaysia remains top choice for halal investments. https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2448081