| August 06, 2008 18:37 PM |
Muslim Entrepreneurs Misconstrue Halal Certification - Mashitah
IPOH, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- More non- Muslim entrepreneurs have halal (permissible in Islam) certificates than their Muslim counterparts who feel that they do not need one as they are Muslims.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said this was a misconception on the part of Muslim entrepreneurs due to lack of awareness and understanding of the halal concept.
Muslim entrepreneurs also have to apply for the halal certificate especially when they are planning to export their products, she told reporters after opening the state-level National Halal Industry Development Seminar here today.
She said the halal concept being developed by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) is not only confined to the ingredients of the products but also encompassed the 'halalan toyyiban' (lawful and wholesome) which gave importance to their cleanliness, health and safety.
From the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim)'s record, she said 80 per cent of halal certificates were approved to non-Muslim companies in 2006.
On the seminar, she said it was aimed at creating awareness on the importance of the halal standards to entrepreneurs and consumers.
HDC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the government provided grants to companies including the small and medium enterprises to acquire halal certificates for their products.
-- BERNAMA
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