Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said several world leaders have expressed interest in working with Malaysia’s halal industry after recognising the country’s strong performance and reputation in the sector.
He said leaders from countries including Vietnam, China, Brazil, South Africa, Peru and Ethiopia had shown interest in obtaining halal certification and recognition from Malaysia. According to Anwar, the international demand reflects Malaysia’s growing influence in developing a trusted halal ecosystem.
Anwar praised the efforts of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and state Islamic councils for maintaining Malaysia’s high standards in halal certification and helping strengthen the country’s position in the global halal market.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Penang International Halal Expo (PIHEX), the Penang Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Gathering and the MADANI Kita programme at Politeknik Seberang Perai. The event was also attended by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid.
During the event, Anwar also announced a RM5 million allocation for the Bumiputera Semiconductor Strategy Programme, which will be developed through cooperation between higher education institutions and relevant stakeholders.
The Prime Minister stressed that Malaysia’s halal industry should not focus only on certification but must also strengthen the wider industry through collaboration between certification bodies and businesses.
He cited his discussions with the Vietnamese Prime Minister, who expressed interest in expanding the halal sector in Vietnam and obtaining Malaysian halal certification. Anwar said such cooperation should involve Malaysian halal industry players to ensure effective monitoring and long-term sustainability.
Anwar added that Malaysia’s international recognition was also driven by good governance and efforts to prevent misconduct. He said strong management practices had helped build global confidence, allowing the country’s halal industry to continue expanding.
He said halal certification has gained strong international recognition, benefiting both Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera companies that participate in the sector. Anwar also called for stronger cooperation between businesses from different communities to ensure Malaysia’s halal industry remains competitive and among the best in the world.
