KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Companies need not wait for the proposed Halal Act to take effect before getting halal certificates, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom. When the people feel it was a must to get halal products, it would be an important requirement for companies to have halal certificates, he said.

"In fact, efforts by companies to obtain halal certificates should be expedited before the Halal Act is enforced in the country," he told reporters after opening the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Certification (HACCP) Halal Certificate event at the AEON Shopping Complex in Cheras on Tuesday.

The Government is to introduce the Halal Act next year which, among others, only recognises halal certificates and logos issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). The Halal Act Bill is to be tabled in Parliament in June.

Citing Takaful Insurance as an example, Jamil Khir said when the Syariah-compliant Islamic insurance scheme yielded good returns, the people "raced" to buy the insurance policy eventhough they was no compulsion to buy it.

Jamil Khir said the initiative by the Jaya Jusco Supermarket to obtain halal certification and recognition should be emulated by other companies as it would provide the business impact to both Muslim and non-Muslim shoppers.

"Their confidence in products stems whether they are halal and manufactured in hygienic conditions," he added.

-- BERNAMA