The Halal Regulatory Framework in Malaysia Should be Consolidated: A Proposal

Abstract

The formation of Halal Development Corporation (HDC) in September 2006 was a strong indication of the Malaysian government’s aspiration towards actualising Malaysia as the regional and international hub for Halal industry. HDC is dedicated to becoming the central implementation agency for key Halal industry development initiatives. Its pertinent roles are to promote Halal industries, liaise with government agencies and authorities and to assist business entities and investors. Since Halal is a national agenda, in discharging its function HDC closely works with various agencies which include Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), State Religious Council/Department of States, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-Operatives & Consumerism (MDTCC), Ministry of Trade And Industry (MITI), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Department of Veterinary Services, Department of Standards and many more. A fuller picture of the Halal certification procedure in Malaysia, as I attempt to show below, is in order to place my proposal for its consolidation in its proper context.