News From : DagangHalal.com (28 Jul 2010)
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) — The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will introduce 104 new posts, including food technologists, biotechnologists, chemists and reference specialists to facilitate the issuance of halal certificate and logo.
Its director-general, Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz said this was consistence with the proposed amendment to the Trade Descriptions Act 1972 to empower Jakim and state Islamic Religious departments in the issuance of halal certificate and logo.
Welcoming the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry’s decision to restrict the issuance of halal certificate and logo, he said this would stop self-recognition where certain quarters could issue their own halal certificate and logo.
“This practice is unbecoming in a large industry. Jakim will seek the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ cooperation in studying and strengthening the laws governing halal certification by both departments,” he told a news conference here Wednesday.
On Sunday, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Attorney General’s Chambers was finalising the amendment bill which would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in October.
On halal certification for leading hotels, Wan Mohamed said there was an increase in applications for the month of Ramadan a result of a dialogue between Jakim and the Malaysian Association of Hotels.
— BERNAMA