KUALA LUMPUR: Local authorities cannot impose mandatory halal certification as a condition for business licence renewal, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said.
He said that such a requirement would overstep the jurisdiction of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which is the main body responsible for halal certification.
Nga said that the government's stance, as decided by the Cabinet, is to encourage food and beverage operators to apply for halal certification voluntarily.
"The government supports and encourages businesses to obtain halal certification. However, let me be clear—this is not a mandatory requirement, and it cannot be enforced," he said.
Nga said that such measures would contradict the Cabinet's decision, which encourages, but does not mandate, businesses to obtain halal certification. Nga stressed that local authorities must respect this position and avoid actions that contravene the Cabinet's decision as the nation's highest executive body.
He was commenting on the Kelantan state government's recent announcement that all food and beverage operators in the state would soon be required to obtain halal certification to renew their licences.
The Kota Bharu Municipal Council will be the first to enforce this requirement, according to Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information, and Regional Relations Committee chairman Asri Mat Daud.
Asri, in a news report, had also said that other local councils in the state would follow suit, although no timeline was provided for implementation.
Nga said that making halal certification compulsory would impose unnecessary operational difficulties for small business owners.
"Food stalls selling nasi lemak or banana fritters would face additional costs just to meet the requirements for renewing their business licences," he said after attending an event in Tambun, Perak.
He said that halal certification involves annual audits, which come with fees that may burden smaller business operators. Malaysia's multiracial makeup, he said, means we must consider the needs of non-Malay food operators who sell non-halal food as well.
"This is a diverse country, and policies must reflect the needs of all communities," he added.