Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for increased cooperation among different communities in Malaysia's halal industry at the launch of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Halal Ecosystem at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today [1].
Zahid highlighted that around 67 per cent of companies supplying ingredients for halal products in Malaysia are owned by non-Muslims. "During the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and a forum for halal ingredient producers, 67 per cent of halal ingredient manufacturers are our partners among non-Muslims," he said [2, 1].
He urged Bumiputera and Muslim entrepreneurs to adopt a more collaborative approach with industry players from other communities. "Therefore, let us pool our efforts to learn to work together so that we can make them partners in the production of halal products from ingredients they produce," Zahid stated [1].
Zahid emphasized Malaysia's multicultural society, stating, "We do not want this is Islam, this is non-Islam. We are a multicultural society. Although of different religions, they also want to pursue profit, and we also want to pursue profit" [1].
At the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between MARA and Maybank Islamic Berhad to strengthen cooperation in entrepreneurship development, halal industry growth, financing access, and market expansion [1]. A Letter of Intent was also exchanged with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) to enhance halal training, certification, and competency development among MARA entrepreneurs and training institutions [1].
Zahid announced plans to boost Malaysia's halal export ambitions, aiming to expand the market reach of Malaysian halal products [1].
The launch event today marked a concrete step toward promoting cross-community partnerships and supporting the growth of Malaysia’s halal industry through institutional coordination and industry cooperation [1].
