BUKIT GANTANG: There is no need for the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to coordinate with local authorities to assist micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to obtain halal certification.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad said the application and approval processes set by Jakim for halal certification were not complicated.
Idris said if all requirements were met, the halal certificate would be issued in less than 30 days.
"It is easy to apply for a halal certificate. The applicants need to follow the standard operating procedure and within 30 days, or sometimes in 16 and 17 days, they will get the certificate.
"If the business owners have not received it, that means they did not follow the conditions. We are not able to provide the certificate. Even if the person says that he's a Muslim (but) if he doesn't follow (the requirements), we can't provide the certificate. We have to look at hygiene factors and so on," Idris said after opening the charity sale programme at Sungai Tinggi Pas Markaz in Trong, here, today.
He said the local authorities could focus on other matters, including business licences and enforcement.
"The issuance of halal certificates should continue to be implemented by Jakim and the state Islamic Religious Departments."
It was reported on Aug 18 that the Malay Chamber of Commerce had suggested that Jakim coordinated with the local authorities to make it easier for MSMEs to obtain halal certification.