News From : DagangHalal.com (22 Sep 2010)
BANGKOK, Sept 22 (Bernama) — The Islamic Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (ICCM) will suggest to the government to restructure the halal verification system and set up a professional halal audit body.
ICCM Deputy President Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim said a working paper had been prepared and was being improved through dialogues and input from experts before its submission to the government.
Under the proposal, a food processing company or plant operator wishing to obtain the halal certificate should ask the professional body, accredited by the government and industry, to conduct a halal audit of its operations.
Muhammad Ali said the professional body would not burden the government or consumers since it would be a private sector initiative.
“If this is implemented, it will make monitoring easy because it will be the food processors themselves who will engage auditors to audit their production processes,” he said.
“This initiative needs to be implemented quickly to ensure Malaysia’s niche in developing the halal industry is not overtaken by other countries including non-Muslim countries,” he told reporters at the end of a three-day visit to Thailand Tuesday night.
Muhammad Ali was leading ICCM’s 12-member delegation to identify business and joint venture potentials especially in Southern Thailand. The visit was organised by the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Accompanied by Thai Ambassador to Malaysia Thana Duangratana, the delegation made a courtesy call on Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr Trairong Suwankiri and received briefings from the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, Board of Investment and National Food Institute.
They also visited the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand and Chulalongkorn University’s Halal Science Centre.
— BERNAMA