Third Parties Cannot Issue Halal Certification – Jakim

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and state Islamic departments have not appointed or accorded recognition to third parties to issue ‘halal’ certification or halal certification consultancy, said Jakim Halal Hub Division director Hakimah Mohd Yusoff.

She said any application for a halal certificate for products or business premises must be made in person by a trader and only Jakim was authorised to issue the certificate.

“Some people have been approaching traders and companies claiming to represent Jakim or the state Islamic departments.

“Every halal certificate applicant must come in person before Jakim or the state Islamic departments. Do not be taken in by third parties. They are out to cheat, including on payment for the application,” she told Bernama.

Hakimah said these irresponsible people had deceived traders and companies by claiming that the payment for the halal certificate issued by Jakim or the state Islamic departments was higher compared to theirs.

Hakimah also said that the payment for each category of product was RM200 for small enterprises, RM800 for small and medium enterprises and RM1,400 for multinational companies, and the certificate was valid for two years.

“This is not expensive as the applicant can state as many products as they want in each application,” she said.

The payment for the halal certificate application for eateries and restaurants was only RM200, she added.

Hakimah said no refund of payment would be made if the businesses or companies failed in their applications.

She said it was an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act for traders or companies to display announcements that they were in the process of applying for a halal certificate.

Such cases would be referred to the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry for investigation and action, she added.

Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad said individuals convicted of such an offence could be fined up to RM100,000 or sentenced to a maximum jail term of three years, or both, while the penalty for corporations was a fine of up to RM250,000.