Govt only allows meat, poultry imports with halal certificates that comply with Jakim standards
04 Aug 2025 01:58pm
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz during a briefing in the Dewan Rakyat today. - Photo by Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR - The government only permits the importation of meat and meat products as well as poultry and poultry products that have obtained halal certificates from 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 Syariah 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 stressed that claims that Malaysia will just immediately recognise US halal certificates is baseless, misleading and malicious, and do not reflect the actual facts agreed on in the negotiations.
He noted that it was agreed during the negotiations to facilitate the process of 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 domestic regulations that have been established. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. - Photo by Bernama
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 issues related to intellectual property rights, labour, the environment, and sustainable fisheries management based on Malaysia's commitments to relevant international organisations. - BERNAMA
More Like This
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
29 minutes ago
- The Star
Malaysia's semiconductor exports still exempted from retaliatory tariffs, says Tengku Zafrul
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's semiconductor exports to the United States remain exempt from retaliatory tariffs for now, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said the exemption remains in place at present, but it is subject to review and may be affected by future shifts in US trade policy. 'Currently, Malaysia's semiconductor exports to the US are not subjected to the retaliatory tariffs. However, this exemption is conditional and may change depending on the US government's evolving policies,' Tengku Zafrul told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 7). He was responding to Lim Guan Eng (PH–Bagan), who asked about reports that US president Donald Trump had announced plans to impose 100% tariffs on semiconductors imported from countries that do not produce — or do not plan to produce — chips within the US and only companies that have invested in or are building chip-manufacturing facilities in the US would reportedly be exempt. 'This is a significant move that will undoubtedly affect major semiconductor-exporting countries like Malaysia,' Tengku Zafrul said. He said that in April, the US Department of Commerce launched an investigation under Section 232 of its Trade Expansion Act to determine whether imports of semiconductors, chip-making equipment and related products pose a threat to US national security. 'Although the report was initially expected by the end of December, we've learnt that the timeline has been expedited. 'Preliminary findings from this investigation may soon form the basis for future policy decisions — including the possibility of higher tariffs,' he said Tengku Zafrul stressed that the US government has yet to officially announce the mechanism for implementing the tariffs. 'Based on current information, the exemptions may not be based on countries, but on companies that invest directly in the US, regardless of where they are headquartered,' he said. As such, the impact on Malaysia would depend largely on the structure and investment strategies of multinational firms operating locally. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's electrical and electronics (E&E) exports to the US totalled RM119bil in 2024 — roughly 20% of the country's total E&E exports. Of that, semiconductors alone made up RM60.6bil, or about 20% of Malaysia's total semiconductor exports. He noted that 68% of Malaysia's semiconductor exports to the US came from American companies based in Malaysia. 'These companies employ around 72,000 skilled Malaysian workers and are supported by approximately 7,200 local suppliers, most of which are SMEs,' he said. He said the government is also ramping up outreach and engagement with key local exporters and players in the semiconductor supply chain, while encouraging companies to expand to alternative markets. 'Ultimately, we are committed to monitoring this development closely and negotiating proactively. 'We want a clear understanding of what the US defines as 'semiconductors' in this context, so our industry can prepare appropriately,' he said.
BusinessToday
29 minutes ago
- BusinessToday
ASEAN Chairmanship, BRICS Engagement Key In Building Economic Resilience
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, today delivered a keynote address at the PRAXIS 2025 Public Policy Conference, outlining Malaysia's strategy to navigate an increasingly volatile global landscape. Speaking on the theme 'From Fracture to Future,' the minister detailed how Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and its new engagement with the BRICS bloc are key to building economic resilience and promoting sustainable growth. Tengku Zafrul highlighted several achievements and priorities under Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, which he said is focused on deepening regional cooperation. Trade Agreements: Negotiations have been concluded to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA). These new agreements, expected to be signed in October, will expand cooperation into services, e-commerce, and SMEs. Digital Economy: The upcoming ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is a major priority, aiming to provide a comprehensive framework for a digital economy projected to reach USD2 trillion by 2030. Supply Chain: Malaysia has proposed the ASEAN Framework on Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chain (AFISS) to position Southeast Asia as a unified production base for microchips, promoting collaboration over competition among member states. New Partnerships: Malaysia successfully convened the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which could serve as a springboard for a future ASEAN-GCC Free Trade Agreement. The minister underscored that Malaysia's regional efforts mirror its national priorities of maintaining an open, transparent, and rules-based global trade order. BRICS Engagement: Tengku Zafrul announced that Malaysia was invited as a new Partner Country of BRICS, calling it a significant milestone. He framed this engagement as a forward-looking strategy to diversify partnerships and rebalance the global order, rather than an ideological move to disrupt it. Economic Non-Alignment: The minister firmly stated that Malaysia's policy is one of economic non-alignment. 'It is not in our interest to choose between [the United States and China] or decouple from either,' he said, emphasising that neutrality is Malaysia's strength. Bilateral Growth: He also pointed to recent agreements, including a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India and MoUs on semiconductors with Brazil, as examples of Malaysia's strategic outreach. Acknowledging challenges like regional disputes and trade tariffs, Tengku Zafrul outlined three key points for ASEAN to move from 'fracture to future.' Double Down on the ASEAN Way: Upholding the principles of non-alignment and dialogue with all like-minded partners. Continue Diversification and Integration: Leveraging the collective strength of ASEAN's 680-million strong market to 'tide us over' during this fractured era. Pursue National and Regional Reform: Emphasising the success of national reform plans like the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) as crucial for building a strong foundation for regional discussions. He concluded that Malaysia will not drift aimlessly in a turbulent global environment, but will 'anchor ourselves to our principles, chart a course through complexity, and embrace the boldness required to lead.'
Barnama
32 minutes ago
- Barnama
Time Banks Could Transform Malaysia's Ageing Future
By Ahmad Erwan Othman KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- As Malaysia heads toward becoming an ageing nation by 2043, an economist has proposed adopting the 'time bank' model, a system where people exchange voluntary service for future care, as a sustainable way to support elderly well-being and ease pressure on public resources. Economist Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said the concept, practised in countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Thailand, could complement Malaysia's national ageing roadmap by mobilising community involvement and volunteerism. 'The principle is simple. For every hour of voluntary service, such as caregiving, teaching or maintenance work, time credits are earned. These can later be redeemed for care services when the volunteer grows old,' said the Putra Business School academic when contacted by Bernama today. Malaysia, which entered its ageing transition in 2021, is projected to become an aged nation by 2043, with 14 per cent of its population aged 65 and above. This shift, he noted, will drive up healthcare costs and place greater strain on a shrinking workforce. 'Time banking offers a way to ease reliance on public funds, reduce intergenerational tax burdens and strengthen social cohesion amid falling fertility rates,' he added. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced that a National Ageing Blueprint (2025–2045) will be introduced under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to guide national strategies in facing demographic change. The blueprint will cover the development of a more accessible and affordable long-term care (LTC) system, legal reforms to regulate elder care, incentives for caregivers, and expanded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) training in the care sector. Ahmed Razman pointed to Thailand's JitArsa Bank, a government-led time bank under the Department of Older Persons, as a working example of structured community involvement in elder care.
