JAKARTA – The rapidly expanding global halal industry is driving unprecedented cooperation between Southeast Asian nations as they work to harmonize standards and maintain consumer confidence across borders. In a significant step toward regional integration, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have strengthened their collaborative efforts through a comprehensive international seminar addressing cross-border halal regulations.

Regional Summit Addresses Industry Harmonization

The seminar, titled “Cross-Border Halal Regulations: Shaping a Future Perspective,” took place on September 10, 2025, at the Sunway Hotel Big Box in Iskandar Puteri. This initiative, spearheaded by the Johor State Government in partnership with the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ), attracted over 300 participants representing diverse sectors including government officials, business leaders, academics, professionals, students, and the general public.

The broad participation underscored the critical importance of discussing cross-border halal regulations for the future of the global halal industry.

Indonesian Perspective: Bridging Awareness Gaps

Raafqi Ranasasmita, Corporate Secretary of LPPOM representing Indonesia, emphasized that halal compliance is a fundamental religious obligation for Muslims. He expressed concern about the lack of awareness regarding halal certification among populations in Muslim-majority countries, where many assume products are automatically halal without proper verification.

This contrasts sharply with Muslim communities in minority-majority nations, who demonstrate heightened vigilance and commitment to ensuring product halal status through formal certification processes. Ranasasmita stressed that halal certification extends beyond mere formality, serving as an essential business development tool while providing security and trust for Muslim consumers.

He highlighted a significant challenge facing Indonesian imports: consumers’ familiarity with only one halal logo. Products bearing Malaysian JAKIM halal certification, for instance, must still obtain BPJPH certification to enter the Indonesian market. Similar challenges affect many Muslim entrepreneurs who underestimate the importance of halal certification.

“Many Muslim business owners might think, ‘I’m Muslim for seven generations. Why should I bother with halal certification?’ Yet when we visit China, Japan, or France, we see non-Muslim businesses demonstrating extraordinary commitment to quality and halal standards,” Ranasasmita noted.

He also addressed Indonesia’s heavy reliance on imported products, particularly meat and dairy, despite the country’s vast agricultural potential. Indonesia imports over 60% of its meat and significant quantities of dairy products, while countries like India, with similar climate conditions, have developed substantial dairy cooperatives. The hope is that halal certification will strengthen domestic businesses across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and other Islamic nations, reducing dependence on imports.

Malaysian Standards: Rigorous Quality Control

Malaysia’s JAKIM Halal Management Division Director, YBrs. Ustaz Muhyidin Bin Aziz Saari, emphasized Malaysia’s strict protocols for meat and meat-based products. Approved slaughterhouses must receive Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) approval, with joint audits conducted by JAKIM and DVS.

Consequently, even products with halal certification cannot enter Malaysia if their slaughterhouses lack approval. Saari affirmed that while ASEAN halal standards are generally similar, each country maintains specific policies that industries must understand and respect.

Singapore’s Collaborative Approach

Mohamed Khair Bin Mohamed Noor, CEO and consultant of SuChi Success Initiatives Pte. Ltd., offered Singapore’s perspective, emphasizing collaboration over competition in halal cooperation.

“Singapore has no issues accepting halal products from Indonesia and Malaysia. When difficult-to-obtain ingredients are needed, we typically recommend seeking products with JAKIM or Halal Indonesia logos. This demonstrates more cooperation than competition,” he explained.

He identified significant opportunities for halal cooperation between the three nations, citing a concrete example of Chinese meat products with local halal certification being rejected by all three countries. Only after obtaining BPJPH certification for Indonesian market entry could these products access Malaysian and Singaporean markets, highlighting the importance of understanding cross-border halal regulations.

While Singapore’s market may be small, its openness positions it as a potential regional halal hub where products from various countries can enter before reaching global markets. However, Khair emphasized that each country’s unique requirements and regulations must be respected by business operators.

Building Trust Through Standardization

The seminar discussions confirmed that cross-border halal regulations involve more than regulatory differences—they represent efforts to build global Muslim consumer trust. The synergy between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore provides substantial capital for strengthening ASEAN’s halal industry while establishing the region as a global halal industry center.

Through maintaining halal certification quality, strengthening local businesses, and expanding cooperation opportunities, the future of the global halal industry appears increasingly solid and promising.

Educational Initiatives and Future Outlook

LPH LPPOM consistently supports harmonizing cross-border halal regulations and certification quality as part of its commitment to strengthening the halal ecosystem, providing quality assurance for consumers, and encouraging globally competitive business development.

Additionally, through the Halal On 30 program accessible at bit.ly/HalalOn30, LPH LPPOM provides practical education about halal certification processes in concise 30-minute sessions. This initiative represents LPPOM’s effort to deliver accessible, efficient, and quality halal product verification services.

The collaborative framework established by these three ASEAN nations demonstrates a commitment to creating a more integrated and trustworthy global halal industry, setting new standards for international cooperation in religious certification and consumer protection.

Original Article:

CNN Indonesia. (2025, September 24). Sinergi Indonesia, Malaysia dan Singapura Bahas Halal Lintas Negara.  Retrieved from https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20250924151002-625-1277268/sinergi-indonesia-malaysia-dan-singapura-bahas-halal-lintas-negara/amp