SME group urges Kelantan to reconsider mandatory halal certs
Instead, the association called for collaboration with F&B operators to promote halal certification and for the authorities to further streamline and reduce the burden of obtaining such certification...
The Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) urged the Kelantan government to reconsider mandating halal certification for food and beverage operators in the state.
Instead, the association called for collaboration with F&B operators to promote halal certification and for the authorities to further streamline and reduce the burden of obtaining such certification.
This followed the Kelantan government’s announcement to begin enforcing mandatory halal certification in Kota Bharu, with plans to expand the initiative across the state.
Samenta national president William Ng said the halal certification should not be made mandatory as it adds an additional layer of burden and costs to businesses, especially to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and small traders.
“Applying for halal certification could mean up to RM200,000 per premise if modifications to the premise are required, and up to another RM50,000 per annum if a halal coordinator is required, on top of the training costs of new and existing employees,” he said.
He said in a statement that larger chain stores may be able to afford to follow these stringent regulations, especially given the benefits of being halal-certified.
However, Ng noted that for small traders, both Muslims and non-Muslims, having a halal certification is another layer of costs and burden, in an already high-cost and low-margin business environment.
- Bernama
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