logo
#

Latest news with #Jakim

Malaysia set to be halal hub for NZ products
Malaysia set to be halal hub for NZ products

The Star

timea day ago

  • Business
  • The Star

Malaysia set to be halal hub for NZ products

WELLINGTON: Malaysia is poised to be a hub for halal pro­ducts from New Zealand to enter the Asean market, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said this comes after two organisations in New Zealand, which have obtained recognition from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), expressed interest in using Malaysia as a springboard to widen their export market. 'I have given them the opportunity to use Malaysia as a hub for the distribution of halal products from New Zealand to Asean nations,' he said after attending the Malaysia-New Zealand Halal Forum here yesterday. Ahmad Zahid said he had also proposed to halal industry players from New Zealand to attend the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2025, which will be held in September in Kuala Lumpur. 'An announcement will be made during the event on joint efforts to set up the Asean Halal Council, comprising representation from Asean and Asean Plus. 'We invited the bodies that have obtained Jakim recognition to be part of the council,' he added. Ahmad Zahid said the goal of the council is to standardise halal certification among Asean nations as well as those in the surrounding region. 'This will be brought up as an agenda during the Asean Summit this October,' he added. Ahmad Zahid also said there is talk among several countries under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to reactivate the dormant World Halal Council to include both Muslim and non-Muslim majority nations involved in halal products. He said this is crucial as the global halal market is expected to grow from the current US$1.3 trillion (RM5.5 trillion) annually to US$3.7 trillion (RM14.3 trillion) in 2030. 'The market is expected to grow to US$5 trillion (RM21.2 trillion) by 2050. 'Malaysia intends to tap 5% of this market,' he added. During the forum earlier, New Zealand's Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard said Malaysia is a significant market for premium halal meat pro­ducts, with exports of more than NZ$60mil (RM151mil). 'Malaysia is facilitating the approval of several New Zealand halal meat premises seeking first-time access to this market, which is crucial to growing exports,' he said. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid and Hoggard witnessed the exchange of letters of intent between Uni­ver­siti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the University of Canterbury. The partnership aims to strengthen academic and research collaboration, including student and staff mobility.

Lewd activities part of eHati event, say cops
Lewd activities part of eHati event, say cops

The Star

time2 days ago

  • The Star

Lewd activities part of eHati event, say cops

SHAH ALAM: At least four people who attended the controversial eHati Love Intensive event removed their clothes during the session, say police. Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the incident occurred as part of the supposed motivational self-love programme's 'Queen's Night' section. 'We have arrested six individuals, including four women, and they have been remanded for three days. 'Some equipment and the liquids given as drinks have been seized and they will be checked by the Chemistry Department. 'Up till now there were confirmed instances of 'naked' activities involving at least four people. They were doing so as part of the so-called Queen's Night,' he said at a press conference at the police contingent headquarters here yesterday. As of now, no footage or recordings of the event have been found, he added. He said the event offered two packages with the more expensive one involving the Queen's Night activities. It is believed that this was the first time the Queen's Night aspect was conducted, but investigations are underway to detect if similar activities were conducted in previous events. We have recorded statements from around 30 people. 'We also remind those who attended to give their statements willingly before the police conduct more arrests. 'I can confirm that there were also public servants who attended the event,' he said, adding that they have the full list of participants. 'This programme was not based on Islam but was for general motivation. There were participants who were non-Muslims,' he said. Previously, the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) said in a statement that it had started investigations over the motivational talk where it was alleged that semi-naked dancing and 'holy cleansing baths' were conducted.

Malaysia offers to be halal gateway for New Zealand into ASEAN market
Malaysia offers to be halal gateway for New Zealand into ASEAN market

Malaysian Reserve

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Malaysian Reserve

Malaysia offers to be halal gateway for New Zealand into ASEAN market

by HIDAYATH HISHAM MALAYSIA is prepared to become a distribution and marketing hub for halal products from New Zealand to the wider Southeast Asian region. According to Utusan Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (picture) said this proposal was conveyed during his visit to Wellington, where he invited New Zealand's halal industry players to join the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) this September. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH), said the move would help New Zealand tap into ASEAN's halal market, with Malaysia acting as a strategic base. 'While in Wellington, I took the opportunity to push for deeper halal collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand. My focus was on promoting ASEAN halal products into the Asia-Pacific. 'Currently, two organisations in New Zealand have already received halal certification recognition from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) for exports to Malaysia. 'I've now opened the door for them to use Malaysia as a hub for distributing New Zealand's halal products to ASEAN. I've also suggested they take part in MIHAS,' he said during a press conference after the Malaysia–New Zealand Halal Forum. Also present were New Zealand's Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard, and Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki. Ahmad Zahid added that Malaysia would use the MIHAS platform to announce the formation of the ASEAN Halal Council, comprising all Southeast Asian nations. He said halal certifying bodies endorsed by Jakim would also be invited to join the ASEAN Halal Plus Council to harmonise regional halal standards. During the forum, Ahmad Zahid witnessed the exchange of letters of intent between Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the University of Canterbury (UC), aimed at strengthening cooperation in chemical and process engineering, halal food technology, and sustainable development. Ahmad Zahid also dismissed concerns that Jakim's stringent halal procedures would be an obstacle for New Zealand businesses. He explained that Jakim had already authorised two local halal bodies in New Zealand to handle certification, removing the need for companies to go through Jakim directly. 'Jakim will continue periodic audits to ensure compliance with the standards. But I see no issues — I had discussions this morning with the two associations already certified by Jakim and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS),' he said. New Zealand's halal exports to Malaysia surpassed NZ$60 million (RM151 million) last year, driven largely by premium halal meat products.

Malaysia offers to be halal gateway for New Zealand into Asean
Malaysia offers to be halal gateway for New Zealand into Asean

New Straits Times

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • New Straits Times

Malaysia offers to be halal gateway for New Zealand into Asean

WELLINGTON: Malaysia has expressed its readiness to serve as the primary distribution hub for halal products from New Zealand into Asean markets, as part of efforts to strengthen the regional and global halal ecosystem, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. The Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman said two halal certification bodies in New Zealand have already been recognised by the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and can play a vital role in driving the export of halal products from that region. "I have invited New Zealand halal industry players to participate in Mihas (Malaysia International Halal Showcase) in December. "At that time, we will announce the establishment of the Asean Halal Council, as well as Asean Plus Three (APT), aimed at harmonising regional halal certification standards," he told a press conference after the Halal Forum and Tea Session with New Zealand's Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard, here today. This marks the third day of Zahid's five-day working visit to New Zealand. He said another key strategy to facilitate New Zealand's entry into Southeast Asian markets through Malaysia is by extending halal certification recognition to organisations within the country. "I've taken the opportunity here in Wellington to push for stronger collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand, particularly on promoting Asean halal products into the Asia-Pacific region," he said. He said the collaboration is vital to supporting growth in the global halal market, which is projected to reach US$5 trillion (RM21.22 trillion) by 2050, with Malaysia targeting at least a five per cent share of the global market. Zahid said the halal industry should expand beyond the food and beverage sector to include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, Islamic banking, insurance, vaccines, gelatin and more. "Halal is not just for Muslims, it is a universal symbol of cleanliness, quality and health," he said. He said the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) will propose the establishment of a Malaysian Halal Development Commission, which will complement the Asean Halal Council. Meanwhile, efforts to revive the World Halal Council are ongoing in collaboration with GCC countries. Asked whether Jakim's stringent halal certification processes are still a concern for New Zealand companies, Zahid said the issue no longer exists. "Jakim has delegated authority to two halal certifying bodies in New Zealand. "Applications are now handled through them, not directly via Jakim. "However, Jakim will continue periodic audits to ensure compliance with its standards. "We don't foresee any issues as I met with the two recognised associations this morning, both of which are certified by Jakim and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)," he said. Last year, New Zealand's halal-certified meat exports to Malaysia exceeded NZD60 million (RM151 million). During the forum, Ahmad Zahid also witnessed the exchange of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the University of Canterbury (UC).

Malaysia sets sights on becoming halal gateway between Asean and Oceania, says Zahid
Malaysia sets sights on becoming halal gateway between Asean and Oceania, says Zahid

Malay Mail

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Malay Mail

Malaysia sets sights on becoming halal gateway between Asean and Oceania, says Zahid

WELLINGTON, July 16 — Malaysia has expressed its readiness to serve as the primary distribution hub for halal products from New Zealand into Asean markets, as part of efforts to strengthen the regional and global halal ecosystem, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, said two halal certification bodies in New Zealand have already been recognised by the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and can play a vital role in driving the export of halal products from that region. 'I have invited New Zealand halal industry players to participate in Mihas (Malaysia International Halal Showcase) in December. 'At that time, we will announce the establishment of the Asean Halal Council, as well as Asean Plus Three (APT), aimed at harmonising regional halal certification standards,' he told a press conference after the Halal Forum and Tea Session with New Zealand's Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard, here today. This marks the third day of Ahmad Zahid's five-day working visit to New Zealand. He said another key strategy to facilitate New Zealand's entry into South-east Asian markets through Malaysia is by extending halal certification recognition to organisations within the country. 'I've taken the opportunity here in Wellington to push for stronger collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand, particularly on promoting Asean halal products into the Asia-Pacific region,' he said. He stressed that the collaboration is vital to supporting growth in the global halal market, which is projected to reach US$5 trillion (RM21.2 trillion) by 2050, with Malaysia targeting at least a five per cent share of the global market. Ahmad Zahid said the halal industry should expand beyond the food and beverage sector to include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, Islamic banking, insurance, vaccines, gelatin and more. 'Halal is not just for Muslims, it is a universal symbol of cleanliness, quality and health,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) will propose the establishment of a Malaysian Halal Development Commission, which will complement the Asean Halal Council. Meanwhile, efforts to revive the World Halal Council are ongoing in collaboration with GCC countries. Asked whether Jakim's stringent halal certification processes are still a concern for New Zealand companies, Zahid said the issue no longer exists. 'Jakim has delegated authority to two halal certifying bodies in New Zealand. Applications are now handled through them, not directly via Jakim. 'However, Jakim will continue periodic audits to ensure compliance with its standards. We don't foresee any issues as I met with the two recognised associations this morning, both of which are certified by Jakim and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS),' he said. Last year, New Zealand's halal-certified meat exports to Malaysia exceeded NZD60 million (RM151 million). During the forum, Ahmad Zahid also witnessed the exchange of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the University of Canterbury (UC). The LoI focuses on strengthening cooperation in chemical and process engineering, halal food technology and sustainable development. — Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store