AS Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chair in 2025, strengthening collaboration within the halal sector across the region remains a key priority. One notable initiative is the proposed ASEAN Halal Council.
This body aims to streamline halal trade by standardising standards and certification procedures among member countries.
“The council builds on existing regional frameworks like the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth triangle (IMT-GT) and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” explained Datin Paduka Hakimah Mohd Yusoff, the Coordinator of Halal Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department.
It will also serve as a platform for knowledge sharing and halal capability enhancement among ASEAN States.
Malaysia continues to promote the development of halal certification and innovation throughout the region through initiatives such as SME Venture ASEAN 2025 and training programmes provided by JAKIM and HDC.
These efforts help smaller ASEAN economies improve their halal capacity while gaining from Malaysia’s leadership and expertise.
SHARED HALAL VISION
As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia’s three key priorities for regional halal development include:
• Initiating mutual recognition of halal certification to reduce trade barriers.
• Strengthening regional training programmes and standard-setting capabilities.
• Launching joint promotions to market ASEAN halal products to the global audience.
This approach establishes ASEAN as a unified halal leader, creating new prospects for trade and cooperation.
OVERCOMING HURDLES
The journey to establishing the world’s halal hub faces several challenges. Differing definitions of halal in various countries, inadequate infrastructure, and slow certification processes are some of the obstacles Malaysia encounters.
“We must scale capacity without sacrificing quality,” said Hakimah.
Malaysia is addressing this by expanding halal parks, promoting research and development, and improving the training of auditors and halal professionals.
Digitalisation is key to overcoming certification bottlenecks. Transitioning to complete electronic certification enhances the process by making it more efficient, transparent, and scalable.
The Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, plays a vital role in aligning policies with industry needs. By coordinating across government and sectors, Malaysia ensures that its halal ecosystem remains flexible and efficient.
HALAL WITH PURPOSE
For Hakimah, this mission surpasses strategy. It is a spiritual and national duty.
“We are not just pursuing commercial gains. We are fulfilling an amanah (trust),” Hakimah said.
As a former director-general of JAKIM, she has experienced the challenges and achievements in shaping Malaysia’s halal identity. She continues to motivate her team by emphasising that their work not only promotes economic growth but also upholds Islamic values in the global trade arena.
Her vision is grounded in authenticity. “As long as we stay true to our principles and fundamentals, InshaAllah, Malaysia will continue to lead the world in halal leadership.”
Malaysia’s journey towards global halal excellence is propelled not only by policy and innovation but also by a strong sense of national responsibility. As Hakimah emphasises, the way forward demands closer collaboration among ministries, institutions, and industry stakeholders.
Malaysia will build a halal ecosystem that is not only commercially vibrant but also unified and resilient through this comprehensive government approach.
The coming years will see the country bolster its diplomatic efforts, improve its regional leadership through ASEAN, and expand its technological influence into new areas.
Strategic alliances, enhancing institutional capacity, and digital transformation will persist in shaping the next phase of Malaysia’s halal development.
By enhancing its internal governance structures and promoting knowledge sharing, Malaysia is establishing itself not only as a global leader in halal certification but also as a comprehensive model for others to follow.
The alignment between economic aspirations and Islamic values ensures that the halal agenda remains inclusive, future-oriented, and based on trust.
With unwavering dedication and cooperation across all levels, Malaysia is fully equipped to spearhead the global halal narrative in a way that mirrors both its ambitions and sense of duty.
