The More They Crack Down... Malaysia Struggles with Fake Halal Certifications

Fake Certification Labels Attached to Imported Meat... Nationwide Distribution Exposed
Smuggling Increases Despite Stricter Regulations Due to Complex Certification Procedures
Experts Say "Recognize Islamic Development Department... Meat Should Be Imported from Slaughterhouses"

[Asia Economy Kuala Lumpur Hong Seong-ah, Guest Reporter] Fake 'Halal' certification is rampant in Malaysia. Halal refers to products that are permissible to eat and use under Islamic law, but smuggling of uncertified meat followed by attaching fake certification is frequently detected. Authorities have announced plans to strengthen customs clearance and distribution procedures for imported meat and processed meat products.

According to local media such as The Star on the 15th, imported meat products labeled with Halal certification were found in a warehouse in Johor Bahru, southern Malaysia. The company importing these products smuggled meat without Halal certification from China, Ukraine, Brazil, and Argentina, then attached fake Halal certification labels and supplied them throughout Malaysia. The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS) estimates that they distributed 1,500 tons of frozen meat worth 30 million ringgit (approximately 8.085 billion KRW) nationwide.

This is not the first time products with fake Halal certification have circulated in Malaysia. According to the Malaysian Ministry of Trade and Industry, as of August 2018, 17 million products with fake Halal certification labels were distributed. Although the Malaysian government has unified the Halal logo since 2003 and strengthened regulations by mandating Halal certification for imported meat and processed meat products, smuggling of uncertified meat has rather increased.

The prevalence of fake Halal is due to the stringent Halal certification process. According to Islamic law, the animal’s head must face Mecca, the Islamic holy site, during slaughter, the animal must be killed in one stroke to minimize suffering, and all blood must be drained.

Malaysian authorities have decided to strengthen inspections at customs and distribution stages to prevent fake Halal certification labels on imported meat. Abdul Aziz, an inspector at the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), stated, "From now on, only meat from slaughterhouses or manufacturers recognized by JAKIM and the Malaysian Veterinary Services Department will be imported," adding, "All imported meat products must pass through JAKIM or recognized overseas Halal certification bodies." He further emphasized, "All meat importers must submit both a sanitary certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country and an import permit from the Malaysian investigation agency before import."

However, Malaysian Muslims have expressed doubts about these strengthened regulations, as it is not easy to prevent smuggling even with thorough inspections at customs and distribution stages. MAQIS operates 57 quarantine stations nationwide but has only 467 staff members. A quarantine official said, "At Klang Port Customs, 24 staff inspect 400 containers daily," and argued, "To effectively crack down on smuggling, manpower must be increased."

Experts emphasize the need to import meat directly from slaughterhouses. Muhammad Afik, a professor of Halal Industry Management at MARA University, pointed out, "Regulations should be strengthened so that meat is imported only from Halal slaughterhouses officially recognized by JAKIM." A politician said, "To prevent smuggled meat from being falsely registered as Halal-certified products, only Muslim-owned companies should be allowed to import meat."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.