KUALA LUMPUR – The United States (US) has proposed that Halal audits, particularly those related to slaughtering processes, should no longer be conducted directly by Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM), but instead by foreign Halal certification bodies (FHCBs) recognised by JAKIM within the US.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, explained that two Halal certification bodies in the US have already received formal recognition from JAKIM, and the proposal aims to ease the auditing process for US-based slaughterhouses.
“The request from the US is for JAKIM to no longer carry out on-site audits for every slaughterhouse. For example, if there are 10 or 20 slaughterhouses, it would not be practical for JAKIM to audit each one individually.
“Instead, the audits would be carried out by the two recognised FHCBs in the US. JAKIM would then conduct annual audits on these two organisations to ensure continued compliance with Malaysia’s Halal standards,” he said during a press conference following the launch of a new ambulance for the Institute of Respiratory Medicine (IPR) at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, reaffirmed that all US products entering the Malaysian market must continue to comply fully with JAKIM’s Halal requirements.
He dismissed foreign media reports claiming that Malaysia is willing to compromise on Halal certification standards in reciprocal tariff negotiations with the US.
Tengku Zafrul clarified that the only agreement reached is to streamline the import process of Halal meat from the US, which will be managed by a JAKIM-recognised US Halal regulatory agency.
Separately, Dr Mohd Na’im announced that the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) has donated an ambulance worth RM450,000 to the IPR to assist with patient transportation and support public healthcare services.
“This contribution reflects MAIWP’s responsibility and compassion in supporting institutions that save lives,” he said.
Source: Berita Harian.
