The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry affirms Malaysia’s halal standards stay intact under US trade pact, with JAKIM retaining full control.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has never compromised on Halal standards in negotiating the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz told Parliament today.
Responding to claims circulating on social media and in public discussions, Tengku Zafrul said that the ART retains full compliance with Malaysian Halal standards and the Trade Descriptions Act for trade within Malaysia.
“The ART stipulates that only Halal products certified by US Halal certification bodies recognised by JAKIM and meeting Malaysian Halal requirements will be approved and allowed for import,” he said.
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Tengku Zafrul emphasised that JAKIM retains full authority over Halal recognition and standards, conducting strict audits and verification processes to ensure compliance.
“There is no relaxation of Malaysian Halal procedures. If anyone claims that our standards will be determined by the US, that is not true.
“Malaysian Halal standards are determined by Malaysia, certified by JAKIM, and upheld by Muslims in this country,” he said.
From a trade perspective, he added, the arrangement is designed to facilitate export-import processes without compromising the integrity of Malaysia’s Halal system or its standing as an international benchmark.
