MALAYSIA AIMS TO BECOME GLOBAL HUB FOR HALAL PRODUCTS

MALAYSIA AIMS TO BECOME INTERNATIONAL HALAL HUB

by Syarif Hidayat

What is Halal? Halal is an Arabic word referring to what is permissible under Islamic law. In most cases, halal is used to refer to food that is deemed permissible to consume for Muslims. To be deemed halal, the ingredients and method of production must be thoroughly checked to ensure they adhere to Islamic dietary laws. Furthermore, in the case of the slaughter of an animal for consumption purposes, the process must also comply with halal regulations in that the animal must be slaughtered with the correct intention and in the correct manner. 

Contrary to what is deemed to be halal, certain ingredients or food can be haram. This basically dictates the food as unlawful and prohibited to consume for Muslims. Food products and ingredients that are prohibited to consume include pork and pork by-products, lard, blood and alcoholic beverages.

Muslim consumers must make a choice between halal and haram products in the decision making process when purchasing a food or pharmaceutical item.

Halalan Thoyyiban

 Muslims are allowed to consume what is Halalan Thoyyiban ("halal" and "good" food and drink.) (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Al Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqara, Verse:168 " O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of Shaitân (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy.”.)  The food that is, what is pure, clean, wholesome, nourishing, and pleasing to the taste. In general, everything is allowed (halal) except what has been specifically forbidden.

“They ask thee what is lawful to them (as food): say: Lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what ye have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed to you by Allah; eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the name of Allah over it: and fear Allah; for Allah is swift in taking account.” (Al Qur'an, Surah Al-Maeda, Verse 4)

Eating is a matter of faith in Islam. Muslim dietary practise is fundamentally about obeying God. All practising Muslim believers obey God Almighty by eating the allowed foods (halal) and avoiding the forbidden foods (haram) which are mentioned in the Qur’an and in the sayings of the final Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

 

The following are a list of Muslim dietary practises. Muslims follow these because it is God’s word in the Qur’an. The health benefits (which are now apparent with the development of science) of the Muslim diet merely qualify the wisdom of God’s word and shed light on God’s benevolence.

It is God’s commandments that are crucial; the health benefits are secondary. Recite the name of God (Allah) before eating (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful) and thank God after finishing (Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds). 

It is a good thing to eat by the right hand and in company. Muslims must pronounce the name of Allah on all animals while slaughtering. Think and contemplate in every item of food you eat by remembering God the creator the Designer, The Organiser and the Provider. A prayer-like state may be achieved in this way.

  

It is important to eat only when you are hungry. When you do eat, you should not eat in excess. As advised by the Prophet, one should divide his / her stomach into three parts - a third each for food, fluid, and respiration. Remember the hungry when you eat. One could avoid going to hell by feeding a hungry dying person or animal. Halal pure healthy meat, chicken, fish, milk, olive oil and honey are highly recommended in Islam.

International Halal Hub

Why Malaysia? Malaysia has aspirations to become a global hub for the production and trade of Halal products and services, as outlined in the 2006 Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3), according to the official website of Malaysian Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC): www.hdcglobal.com  And as a modern Islamic country at the forefront of economic development, Malaysia has unparalleled potential.

With a progressive living and operating environment boasting political stability and consistent economic growth, Malaysia is fast becoming a business hub of choice for all industries. Further, Malaysia has unique advantages in developing and promoting the Halal products and services industry for many reasons:

Free Market

Malaysia is a progressive Islamic country. It is business-friendly to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, making it a Halal industry advantage. As an economically thriving nation, the Malaysian economy registered a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 per cent for 2008, fueled by domestic demand and continued expansion in private and public consumption.

In 2008, its total trade grew 6.8 per cent from RM1.11 trillion to RM1.19 trillion. Its exports increased by 9.6 per cent to RM663.51 billion, while imports escalated 3.3 per cent to RM521.5 billion, resulting in a trade surplus for the eleventh consecutive year valued at RM142.01 billion. Furthermore, the economy is expected to record positive growth rate in 2009.

Malaysia has today become an export-driven economy spurred on by high technology, knowledge-based and capital-intensive industries. From January to September 2008, the services sector recorded the highest growth at 7.9%.

Racking up its global competitiveness, Malaysia has moved up the value chain to a high-technology, knowledge-based and capital-intensive powerhouse, incorporating design as well as research and development activities. Therefore, From Halal product traceability to Islamic Finance facilities, Malaysia is able to provide end-to-end Halal services.

Furthermore, Malaysia strategically located country within Asia Pacific, providing easy in-roads emerging markets in Asia and a total population larger than 500 million. And Halal business owners will enjoy easier trade and market access to member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), judging by the fact that its Chairman is a Malaysian representative.

 

Government and People Talent Support 

Moreover, Malaysia has a pro-business government, offering tax and other investor incentives. In a bid to create a conducive operating environment, the government has introduced policies and an efficient institutional infrastructure to develop industry – Halal or otherwise.

An industry without talent, is simply said, asset-poor. The Malaysian talent pool is rich with young, educated and productive workers with skills necessary for science- and service-based industries. With Malaysia being a multi-racial and multi-lingual country made up of predominantly Malays, Indians and Chinese, Halal business owners will find no shortage of bilingual talent skilled to enrich trade relations in countries such as China.

 

Infrastructure

The topography of Malaysia's economic landscape is made up of a network of well-maintained highways and railways that links to efficient seaports and world-class international airports.

With Malaysia's commitment to industrial development and free trade, the government has established five economic growth corridors, in addition to over 200 industrial estates or parks and 13 free industrial zones. And as part of HDC's initiatives, Malaysia is also home to one of the world's first Halal Parks.

What and Why HDC? Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) is a developmental body that is unique in its own right. The Malaysian government established HDC in September 2006 because it realised the potential of the halal business. It also understood the country’s unique position and strengths would enable HDC to spearhead the overall development of the halal industry. HDC is the only Malaysian government- mandated company in the world tasked with coordinating and developing the national halal industry.

As a brand, HDC is business friendly, driven to make things happen, steered by experts delivering world-class know-how and collaborative by working towards a win-win situation. HDC’s promise is to help businesses access new markets both locally and globally. 

For businesses, it means halal is the avenue for new markets with the help of HDC and its agencies. For consumers, it means that with the growth of the halal industry, they will have increased awareness and better choices on halal goods. And finally, for the government, with new markets reached through halal, it translates into economic growth.

The halal industry encompasses many sectors cutting across the entire halal value chain. HDC thus has multiple roles to play in the entire chain.

These include managing the stakeholders’ interest by:

-Creating business opportunities

HDC is the central implementation agency for key industry development initiatives and working with authorities and businesses. It promotes industries relating to halal, liaising with and assisting businesses and investors. It also manages and distributes government funding for the halal industry.

-Coordinating national initiatives

HDC is the referral agency for businesses and agencies involved in the Halal industry while understanding their specific roles and needs. It is also coordinator and chair for halal-related agency activities and organises discussion sessions.

-Communicating value to consumers

HDC provides support to businesses by providing branding and promotion of halal products and industries. It also provides training and consultancy services to support halal certification.

HDC also focuses on the following elements of the halal value chain:

    1.Feed and Farm management

    2.Ingredients

    3.Manufacturing/Processing

    4.Logistic Services

    5.Research & Development and Innovation

    6.Islamic Finance

    7.Advertising & Promotions

In order to be more effective in developing the halal industry, HDC is focusing on core clusters that will add significantly to the economy. These clusters include specialty processed food, ingredients, livestock, pharmaceuticals and personal care. Development of these areas is key to realising a more holistic halal ecosystem. In order to realise this goal, HDC works hand in hand with all the relevant government ministries and agencies.

On the international front, it is the first point of contact and a key reference centre as well as providing stewardship and direction through the extremely varied array of sectors in the halal industry. This includes the processed food, beverage and livestock sectors to the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care sectors and also the Islamic banking and logistics sectors.

An important factor is the role HDC plays in capacity development as the halal industry heads onward into the 21st century and the challenges that lie in store for it.

This includes strengthening and streamlining compliance, marketing, communication and response time in all sectors. To constantly embrace change for sustained growth is the methodology HDC consciously employs.

At home, HDC has been mandated by the Malaysian government to assist, in particular, the small and medium-sizes enterprises (SMEs). HDC works hand in hand with all the relevant government ministries and its agencies, especially the Ministry of International Trade and Industries (MITI), for leverage and achieving desired results. 

The help to SMEs are mainly in the form of tax incentives, funding, licensing, skills upgrading plus marketing and promotional expertise.  To sum it up, when it comes to everything halal, HDC plays the leading role in shaping and guiding its ascendency both at home and abroad.

Malaysia to standardize halal standards

A Malaysia-based group is drafting halal standards to give Muslim countries a framework to regulate a $2 trillion global industry ranging from food to finance. The global halal industry is regarded as a vast but difficult market with the substantial Muslim population outweighed by the use of disparate sharia standards, differing levels of development across Muslim countries and a lack of regulatory infrastructure.

The International Halal Integrity Alliance is working on guidelines relating to the use of sharia-compliant pharmaceuticals, finance and processed food which would be completed by year-end, its chief executive officer Darhim Hashim said. “We, as Muslims, are not in control of the supply chain,” he said on the sidelines of a halal forum.

“We cannot say that we can accept everything that comes into the country is halal so at the very basic level is some kind of import regulation. That in return leads to a standard.”

Darhim said the alliance has published seven other standards which include the regulation of sharia-compliant restaurants, cosmetics, lab testing and animal slaughtering which have been ratified by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a grouping of 56 Islamic countries.

The alliance’s members include certification bodies from Europe, India, the Phillipines, Cambodia and Australia.

The halal industry has been overshadowed by the Islamic finance sector in recent years as the petrodollar boom sparked a rush for sharia-compliant assets. But the large global Muslim population is seen as offering growth opportunities for the industry.

“Halal Malaysia, the Choice of Assurance”

Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Director-General of Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, in his article titled “Why ‘Halal Malaysia’?” published in The Star Online: www.thestar.com.my writes The word ‘halal’ is not the sole property of Muslims but has expanded internationally with trading communities embracing it.

HAVE you ever thought why non-Muslim consumers in other countries choose halal goods while Muslim consumers in Malaysia are sometimes petty about halal certification?

Malaysia is made of many races, religions and cultures and this has become an important asset in the development of the Halal Malaysia certification.

Generally, the use of the halal logo and certification system in this country is seen to be in the interest of Muslim consumers. The certification enables them to select goods without doubt of their halal status.

This aside, after 30 years of its introduction, the response has been overwhelming. The word “halal” is not only the sole property of Muslims but has now expanded into international markets.

Trading communities who are generally composed of non-Muslims are beginning to realise the importance of the halal certification.

This has broken the barriers of religious and cultural differences and has transcended the view that halal is only for Muslims.

Similar changes have taken place among industries throughout the world, even in Asia, which have made the halal logo a marketing tool in winning the hearts of consumers.

Statistics show that Malaysian Halal Certificate holders have increased to 3,889 from 2008.

This is expected to increase further after the amendment of Trade Descriptions Act 1972, which is expected to be enforced next year.

Producers today have placed the halal logo at a higher value. This is irrespective of what race, religion or cultural background a trader is from. In fact, without it, they face difficulty in marketing their products.

Before halal identification became an important factor in world trade today, halal sensitivity had been firmly rooted in the culture of Muslim communities, particularly regarding the source of end products for daily consumption and use.

However, the use of ingredients labelling in food products in the past was not viewed as very important as compared to today.

Furthermore, knowledge and awareness of Muslim communities towards basic ingredients was not given enough attention.

Jakim, as a coordinating body of halal certification in Malaysia, has introduced the standard Halal Malaysia logo, which is intended to answer the most frequently asked questions and misconception in regards to halal certification.

This logo carries the word halal in Arabic and the “Malaysia” is written in Roman. The main objective of this logo standardisation is to abolish the use of fake certificates and any other halal logos, which are not certified by authorising bodies.

The tabling of Budget 2010 lends further to the seriousness of the Government and the honourable Prime Minister in emphasising the growth market of halal services and products.

To build Malaysia towards becoming a Halal Hub, Jakim is working closely with various agencies and ministries in upgrading the capability and services of the halal certification system and standardising its mechanism between Jakim and state Islamic authorities.

Mampu provides assistance in upgrading the effectiveness of the halal certification work process through Pemudah; the public-private taskforce formed to ensure ease when conducting business dealings in Malaysia.

In the 10th Malaysia Plan, RM27.5mil has been allocated to set up a Halal Hub Institute in Bandar Enstek. This institute will be equipped with laboratories and R&D facilities and is expected to begin operations in 2014.

With the setting up of this institute, Jakim can be the focus for local and foreign communities in halal certification in the region.

Malaysia is renowned throughout the world as the first country to develop a comprehensive halal standard in the year 2000.

The Department of Standards Malaysia has published a few halal standards.

Jakim is working with the Health Ministry, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC), Halal Industry Development Corporation, Inter¬national Trade and Industry Ministry, Veterinary Department, Agriculture Department, universities, consumer bodies and industry sectors in upgrading the standard development for halal certification.

The Government has mandated that imported meat and meat based products shall be halal. In ensuring these rules are safeguarded, Jakim plays an important role in determining the halal status of these products.

With the Veterinary Department, Jakim will inspect abattoirs and processing plants in the exporting countries in order to certify that they meet our halal standards.

Jakim also recognises foreign halal certification bodies to ensure the halal status of imported products, including raw materials and additives.

Today, we have recognised 51 halal certification bodies from 25 nations. In fact, in 2010 alone, Jakim has received 13 new applications from foreign certification bodies.

The use of the halal logo has changed rapidly. It has become a necessity for producers in today’s consumer-driven market.

Through the halal industry, the Government has succeeded in opening competitive business opportunities between producers so that goods will be of higher quality and acceptable without doubt.

A healthier business climate successfully pioneered in local markets is gradually expanding to international markets.

The recent launch of the E-Halal Track and Trace RFID in Guangzhou, China on Nov 17 is expected to provide huge benefits to the country, especially in promoting Halal Malaysia in China; a market which has vast potential in further elevating Halal Malaysia’s credibility worldwide.

This programme will also be a breakthrough between the two countries in order to realise Malaysia as a Global Halal Hub.

We cannot separate halal from its source and origin. Only consumers who exercise their rights will choose halal product and services, which are assured from the aspects of safety and cleanliness, in line with the motto “Halal Malaysia, the Choice of Assurance”. (HSH)

Bibliotheque:

1.http://www.thestar.com.my/

2. http://www.hdcglobal.com

3. http://muslimvillage.com/

4. http://halal-or-haram.com/