Malaysia and Indonesia to Sign a Halal Industry Agreement in Jakarta

Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs said Malaysia and Indonesia are expected to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in June to encourage Halal sector trade between the two countries.

Its Secretary General Nizar Ali said the ministry's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) have been negotiating the MOC since mid-2022, with the draft finalized in January.

'The draft MOC has been finalized, and any revisions must be discussed with BPJPH, JAKIM and the director of the Malaysia Halal Council,' he said in a statement.

Last Thursday, Nizar received a formal visit at his office from JAKIM Director General Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff, who was accompanied by the Malaysian Embassy's religious advisor Muhammad Naqzrul Azraf Mohd Nazarludin.

Nizar said he hopes to sign the Indonesia-Malaysia Halal memorandum of understanding during Indonesian President Joko Widodo's official visit to Malaysia in June.

Hakimah added that she hopes the Halal industry management of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore will be more systematic compared with other countries, including European countries.

Meanwhile, BPJPH cooperation coordinator Fertiana Santy said Halal industry players highly anticipate the MOC.

'Mutual recognition of the two countries' Halal certificates will also be implemented,' she added.

Malaysia and Indonesia are among the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries and were listed among the top Halal exporters in the 2022 annual OIC Halal Economy Report.