KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — The government only permits the import of meat and meat products, and poultry and poultry products that have obtained halal certificates from the United States (US) halal certification bodies that comply with halal standards set by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the government will not compromise on the matter and continues to uphold halal standards that adhere to Shariah law in order to safeguard the interests of Muslim consumers in Malaysia.
“The facilitation being offered here only relates to the monitoring and verification carried out by US halal certification bodies recognised by Jakim,” he said during a briefing in the Dewan Rakyat today regarding the trade negotiations with the US.
He also stated that claims that Malaysia would just immediately recognise US halal certificates are baseless, misleading and malicious, and do not reflect the actual facts agreed on in the negotiations.
He noted that during the negotiations, it was agreed to facilitate the certification and registration of facilities for the export of dairy, meat, and meat products, as well as poultry and poultry products from the US to Malaysia based on established domestic regulations.
Both countries have also agreed to adopt the method of “regionalisation” for animal disease control for the export of live poultry and poultry products from the US, in addition to facilitating the process of standards recognition and marketing of industrial products from the US such as automotive products, medical devices and pharmaceuticals based on domestic regulations set.
The negotiations also saw both countries agreeing to enhance their commitments and enforcement on intellectual property rights, labour, the environment, and sustainable fisheries management based on Malaysia’s commitments to relevant international organisations.
