JAKIM’s Halal Lab ready by 2012

The first government-owned Halal analysis laboratory will be built in Bandar Enstek, here in Nilai next year, with the first phase to cost RM27.3 million, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

He was confident that Malaysia would be the first country to have such a facility as most labs which analysed halal and non-halal products were owned by the private sector.

The new institute-level lab however would be placed under a government agency such as the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

“The lab will not only conduct research on food but also other products, and its services will be used by local and foreign clients,” he told reporters after visiting the Malaysia Halal Institute Laboratory site in Bandar Enstek Tuesday.

The lab was timely as the Halal Act would be legislated after the coming parliamentary session.

He said Jakim currently had about 23 overseas clients as the department’s halal certificates were recognised by Muslim communities worldwide.

“Construction of the halal institute on 16 hectares (40 acres) of land will begin in September and is expected to be completed in December 2012. It will start with a lab, guard station and 57 employees.”

Jamil Khir said the lab was timely as the Halal Act would be legislated after the coming parliamentary session.
“After the Act is legislated, only Jakim will issue halal certificates and the private sector will not be allowed to do so anymore,” he added.