KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Halal products imported from the United States must still comply with the standards set by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
“What we have agreed with the US is to facilitate the process of importing halal products into Malaysia, but not to compromise on the halal standards,” he told a press conference today, following the US announcement of a tariff reduction on Malaysian exports to 19 per cent from 25 per cent.
Refuting rumours that Malaysia was compromising on halal requirements, Tengku Zafrul stressed that the government remains firm on the matter.
“The government will not budge from our stance on this issue. So we hope that no party gives a misleading impression,” he said.
