KUALA LUMPUR, Additional allocations are needed in Budget 2025 to upgrade the Malaysian Halal Certification System (MYeHALAL), aimed at expediting the halal application and certification process, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He said the development and enhancement of the system were among key proposals by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), and that he participated in an engagement session with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, expressing various aspirations and suggestions, including efforts to upgrade MYeHALAL.
“Currently, halal issues are among the matters being raised. Therefore, we have requested consideration for additional allocations for the development of this digital system.
“Other ministries also brought forth their respective proposals, and we leave it to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, to decide and prioritise in this Budget,” he said when met af
ter the 2024/1446H Student Academic Excellence Awards and Incentive Presentation for Hafazan (Memorisation) Ceremony here, today.
Mohd Na’im said that in Budget 2024, RM1.9 billion was allocated for the management and development of Islamic Affairs in the country, an increase from RM1.5 billion in 2023.
“I hope that Budget 2025 – which will be presented soon – will continue to focus on Islamic administration, thereby enhancing the development of Islam in Malaysia,” he added.
Previously, media reports mentioned that JAKIM was considering a proposal to make it mandatory for restaurants and food companies to obtain halal certification.
Budget 2025, themed “Ekonomi MADANI, Negara Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera”, is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 18.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency