Malaysia’s success as a halal powerhouse is not built solely on policy frameworks. It is also the result of visionary women shaping strategy, governance, and inclusivity at every level.
Among them, Halal Affairs Coordinator in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datin Paduka Hakimah Mohd Yusoff, and Deputy Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, are driving efforts to integrate women more deeply into Malaysia’s halal leadership.
Hakimah highlights her mission to ensure seamless coordination among key agencies, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), Halal Development Corporation (HDC), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), and the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI). She envisions Malaysia not only as a halal product exporter but also as the world’s premier knowledge partner for halal development.
“Our goal is to consolidate efforts and move towards a dedicated one-stop centre for Halal Malaysia,” said Hakimah.
Expanding into high-value sectors such as halal biotechnology, digital services, and supply chain transparency is key to this vision.
Maintaining leadership requires constant innovation in certification. Hakimah highlights initiatives such as blockchain traceability and electronic certification, which safeguard integrity while streamlining processes. On the global stage, Malaysia’s active role in international bodies, such as the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), ensures that its perspectives are embedded in halal frameworks. Women leaders are essential in this regard, bringing inclusivity and balanced representation to Malaysia’s halal diplomacy.
For Noraini, women’s contributions must be at the heart of halal policymaking. She stresses that the halal economy is about more than compliance. It is also about inclusivity, sustainability, and community development. Women leaders, she notes, bring perspectives that embed ethical growth and innovation into Malaysia’s halal ecosystem.
POLICY INFLUENCE
Hakimah’s motivation stems from amanah, the trust to ensure halal standards are upheld with integrity. Having served as Director-General of JAKIM, she has witnessed how women strengthen Malaysia’s global reputation.
“We are not merely pursuing commercial objectives, but fulfilling a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of halal worldwide,” said Hakimah.
Noraini reinforces this by highlighting that inclusivity is not just an added value but a necessity for sustainable halal growth. Her advocacy ensures women are not only represented but also recognised as innovators and decision-makers.
Together, leaders like Hakimah and Noraini exemplify how women’s leadership is not only enriching Malaysia’s halal ecosystem but also securing its place as a global halal reference point. Their work highlights a critical truth: women are no longer supporting actors in the halal economy. They are leading voices shaping its direction. –