Latest news with #MohdFaredMohdKhalid
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Johor religious school canteens to get halal certification by 2024
JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 138 government religious school canteens in Johor will receive halal certification by the end of this year. The initiative is part of the Johor State Halal Development Plan 2030, aimed at improving compliance and awareness among food providers. State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the first phase covers 50 Grade A and 88 Grade B school canteens. The remaining 437 Grade C canteens will be addressed in stages starting next year. 'This initiative is part of the state government's efforts to reach the target of 500 new halal certificates by the end of this year as an initial step towards achieving 5,000 by 2030,' he said in a Facebook post. The state government also plans to expand halal certification efforts to the private sector, supporting the development of a stronger halal ecosystem in Johor. Currently, Johor has 1,200 halal certificate holders, a number expected to grow with the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) development. 'Halal is not only a religious obligation for Muslims, but it has also been recognised as a benchmark for high standards of cleanliness, management, and business integrity,' Mohd Fared added. The Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) and Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) are working on a more efficient halal certification process to encourage more applicants. Mohd Fared emphasized the need to change public perception that halal certification is costly and time-consuming. - Bernama
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
138 Johor Religious School Canteens To Be Halal-certified By Year-end
JOHOR BAHRU, July 14 (Bernama) -- A total of 138 Sekolah Agama Kerajaan Johor (SAKJ) canteens will be halal-certified by December, in line with the implementation of the Johor State Halal Development Plan 2030, said State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid. He said the first phase of the initiative involved 50 Grade A and 88 Grade B school canteens, and that the remaining 437 Grade C canteens would be addressed in stages beginning next year. 'This initiative is part of the state government's efforts to reach the target of 500 new halal certificates by the end of this year as an initial step towards achieving 5,000 by 2030. 'This concerted effort aims not only to improve halal compliance standards in schools but also to increase awareness among canteen and cafeteria operators, as well as food providers at government departments and agencies,' he said in a Facebook post. He said the state government also planned to extend the halal certification campaign to the private sector to support the development of a more comprehensive halal ecosystem in Johor. Mohd Fared said Johor had 1,200 halal certificate holders to date, and this figure was expected to grow further with the development of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'Halal is not only a religious obligation for Muslims, but it has also been recognised as a benchmark for high standards of cleanliness, management, and business integrity. 'This is clearly supported by non-Muslim entrepreneurs, many of whom are halal certificate holders in Johor and across the country,' he said. He added that the Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) and the Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) were currently working on a more efficient and user-friendly halal certification application framework to ease the process for applicants.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Johor escalating efforts to become regional halal hub
JOHOR BARU: The state is seeking to position itself as a regional halal hub through its Johor Halal Development Plan (PKHNJ) by forging strategic partnerships with national agencies. Its Islamic religious affairs committee chairman, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, said the state government is committed to setting the benchmark in halal certification, starting with state and federal government facilities. 'We have gained strong support from state health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon and state women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin Nisa Ismail to collaborate on halal-related efforts. 'With this cooperation, we aim to ensure that all kitchens in government hospitals and welfare institutions under state supervision are halal-certified,' he added. Mohd Fared added that cafeteria operators and food providers in these agencies would be encouraged to apply for halal certification. He said the state wants government departments and agencies to lead by example in halal compliance, particularly in food and beverage preparation, before encouraging entrepreneurs and traders to follow suit. Mohd Fared said that as part of this broader strategy, the state government is also working closely with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to streamline the halal ecosystem, from education to entrepreneurship and business management. He said he met Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki recently and agreed to form a collaboration. 'Mara has confirmed that Johor is the first state to officially express its intention to collaborate on halal development. 'They have also agreed to look into supporting its entrepreneurs in the state, especially in encouraging them to pursue halal certification,' he added. Mohd Fared also said a joint workshop would be organised soon to develop a streamlined framework that simplifies the halal application process, ensuring it is efficient and not burdensome to business owners. 'We also see potential for collaboration with Mara-owned educational institutions, including a proposal to establish dialysis centres to support the welfare of asnaf (eligible zakat recipients), with the Johor Islamic Religious Council ready to assist,' he said. On another matter, Mohd Fared said Johor has received full backing from the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to push the PKHNJ forward. He highlighted Risda's expertise in halal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a key area of collaboration. 'The halal industry offers vast job opportunities for the Johor people, with graduates from halal-related institutions benefiting from better career pathways through the implementation of PKHNJ,' he said.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Johor eases religious school dress code amid hot weather
BATU PAHAT: In view of the current hot weather, the Johor government has eased the dress code for students at Islamic religious schools to ensure their comfort throughout learning sessions. Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said there were no issues regarding the implementation, as the state government had authorised the District Islamic Education Office (PPID) to determine the appropriate attire. He said similar measures had been implemented before and could be reintroduced when necessary. 'In Johor, students are required to wear baju Melayu, so having looser clothing makes it more practical, especially during the current weather,' he said after closing the Johor State-Level Mahabbah Komuniti MADANI Carnival at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) today. On the programme, Mohd Fared said it was a strategic collaboration among various parties aimed at reaching out to the community, particularly the youth, to provide a clearer understanding of increasingly complex social and religious issues.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Johor eases uniform rules for Islamic school students amid hot weather
BATU PAHAT: In view of the current hot weather, the Johor government has eased the dress code for students at Islamic religious schools to ensure their comfort throughout learning sessions. Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said there were no issues regarding the implementation, as the state government had authorised the District Islamic Education Office (PPID) to determine the appropriate attire. He said similar measures had been implemented before and could be reintroduced when necessary. 'In Johor, students are required to wear baju Melayu, so having looser clothing makes it more practical, especially during the current weather,' he said after closing the Johor State-Level Mahabbah Komuniti MADANI Carnival at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) today. On the programme, Mohd Fared said it was a strategic collaboration among various parties aimed at reaching out to the community, particularly the youth, to provide a clearer understanding of increasingly complex social and religious issues.
