"My Halal Is More Halal Than Your Halal" - Malaysians On Logo For Products Made By Muslims
Malaysian Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) is reportedly working together with the Malaysia Institute of International Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) to design and launch a new halal logo early next year.
By Tang Ruxyn — 26 Sep 2016, 02:04 PM
There will be a specific, new halal logo for products made by Muslim businesses starting next year, 2017
The Malaysian Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) is reportedly working together with the Malaysia Institute of International Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) to design and launch the new logo early next year.
It is said that the new logo would go hand-in-hand with the halal certificates and logos that are currently issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
Risda chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said that the new logo will help distinguish products that are "produced by Muslims against that of non-Muslims" and help Risda smallholding entrepreneurs and Muslim entrepreneurs to venture into the halal markets locally and abroad.
"Only 11 percent of Muslim companies were registered with the Halal Industry Development Corporation (under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry) for the export market against 89 per cent non-Muslim companies," he reportedly said, adding that too few Muslim entrepreneurs have applied for halal certification for their products.
Following the announcement, local netizens have questioned the motive of the move, stating that there was no further need to differentiate halal products by Muslims and non-Muslims
They argued that the introduction of this new logo that is exclusive to Muslim businesses would create a perception that the new certification is "more halal" or "better" than the certification that is being issued by Jakim, which is reportedly applied by more non-Muslims.
This would cause an unnecessary segregation and confusion as those who have obtained and wish to obtain the halal certification from Jakim would need to comply with the standards set by the governing body and the state Islamic religious councils.
Many have also suggested that this move could be yet another gimmick to "make money and squeeze the rakyat"
Some have found the suggestion offensive, and have responded to the issue condescendingly
On the other hand, there are also those who are supportive of the initiative, stating that this shouldn't be an issue as the new halal logo acts as an "additional endorsement"
While there have been many heated discussions about the issue on social media, Jakim has responded to the matter yesterday, 25 September
Jakim director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha said in a statement that Ikiam and Risda may have good intentions and objectives for introducing a new halal logo but opined that the move could be unlawful.
He said that Risda would need to ensure that the products that will receive the new halal logo would need to first obtain certification from Jakim or the state Islamic religious councils.
"If Ikiam and Risda intends to directly issue the new logo for Muslim products by Risda smallholders, then it contravenes the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011 which clearly states that only Jakim, Jain and Main are the competent authorities in issuing Halal certification," read the statement that was posted on his official Facebook page.
He added that he will be seeking for clarification from Risda on the matter as it was important to ensure that individuals or companies would not simply issue their own halal certification.