Kuala lumpur: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) has clarified that calls to expand halal certification into the realm of national administration do not arise, as such matters are already governed by existing authoritative mechanisms.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, JAKIM director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee stated that the department takes seriously the views raised regarding its role in halal certification, particularly suggestions that it should extend beyond food and consumer goods to cover broader aspects of governance. He emphasized the need to distinguish between the broader concept of halal in Islam, which includes social justice, integrity, and good governance, and the specific process of halal certification.
In the context of national governance, Sirajuddin explained that the responsibility to combat corruption, uphold integrity, and ensure justice rests with all departments and ministries, as well as enforcement bodies such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the judiciary. He noted that this aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's directive for all departments to combat corruption and strengthen national integrity.
Sirajuddin highlighted that Islam, as conveyed through the Quran and Sunnah, strictly prohibits corruption, abuse of power, and betrayal of trust. JAKIM consistently conveys this moral and syariah message through various platforms, including Friday sermons, community development programs, awareness campaigns, and digital media.
The halal certification process, he explained, is Malaysia's official mechanism to safeguard consumer confidence and ensure compliance with established standards and syariah requirements across various sectors. Sirajuddin warned that without valid halal certification, the Muslim community risks exposure to confusion and exploitation by irresponsible parties.
He affirmed that JAKIM remains focused on maintaining the integrity of halal certification while strengthening its role in da'wah and education to reinforce syariah prohibitions against corruption and abuse. The MADANI government, through JAKIM, is committed to strategic cooperation with stakeholders to uphold Malaysia's halal certification as an international benchmark and advance Islamic education and community development.
These efforts, Sirajuddin concluded, reflect a continuous commitment to righteousness, cleanliness, justice, and integrity in line with syariah principles and the nation's aspirations.