According to Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid (PH-Batu Maung), the number of Malaysian Halal Certification holders in Penang has increased over the last three years, reaching a total of 4,973 holders.
This figure includes 1,435 holders in 2021, 1,729 in 2022, and 1,809 until October. In addition to certificate holders, the number of halal certificate applications has also risen, with 1,015 in 2021, 1,031 in 2022, and 920 by October 2023.
Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid stated, “The increase in the number of Malaysian Halal Certification holders reflects awareness among traders or entrepreneurs. The Halal Management Division of the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department is always proactive in promoting halal awareness periodically to industry players, either independently or through collaborations.”
He also mentioned that efforts are being made at the federal level to improve and upgrade the MYeHALAL system to be more customer-friendly, with the goal of further increasing the number of Malaysian Halal Certification holders in Penang.
Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid further explained, “The state Islamic department has also implemented the Immediate Malaysian Halal Certification Initiative 2.0, which approves complete halal certificate applications within 30 working days, starting from November 1, 2023.”
With these initiatives and the proactive work of the Halal Management Division, it is expected that the number of Halal Certification holders in Penang will continue to grow in the future.
The increase in awareness and the streamlining of the certification process are positive developments for the halal industry in Penang, and reflect the commitment of the state government and federal authorities to promote and support the growth of the industry.
Overall, these efforts are helping to position Penang as a hub for halal products and services, contributing to the development and expansion of the halal industry in the region.
According to Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, the state government is dedicated to ensuring that Penang continues to play a significant role in the halal industry, supporting the growth and success of entrepreneurs and traders in the sector.
These ongoing efforts are expected to further strengthen Penang’s position as a leading destination for halal products and services in Malaysia and the wider region.
