Indonesia, Malaysia plan joint halal council to drive ASEAN ecosystem

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Malaysia are discussing the creation of a joint halal council, titled the Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Council (MINDHaC), to expand bilateral cooperation in halal product assurance and establish a foundation for a broader regional framework, officials said Wednesday.

The initiative was addressed during talks between Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM), and the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta.

“This initiative is expected to serve as a strategic platform for cooperation between the two countries to strengthen the halal ecosystem, while also marking an initial step towards the establishment of an ASEAN Halal Council,” BPJPH Chief Ahmad Haikal Hasan said in a statement.

Hasan noted that the proposed bilateral council will lay the groundwork for a regional body, with target completion set for September 2027.

JAKIM Director-General Sirajuddin Suhaimee emphasized that the partnership will extend beyond standard mutual recognition of halal certificates to focus on trade facilitation, eliminating market barriers, and strengthening supply chain integration.

Both officials noted that joint standards between the two nations could serve as an international reference point for the global halal industry based on Sharia principles.

Translator: Arnidhya Nur, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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