More attention to Halal mart

Published on: Monday, November 06, 2023

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Kadzim (second from right), Ariffin (left) and others visiting one of the 200 booths at the event.

THE State Government wants more entrepreneurs in Sabah to produce halal food products for both local and global markets.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Sabah has a variety of locally-produced food products that can be promoted to a higher level. 

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He said although the involvement of entrepreneurs, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in the halal food industry in the State is increasing, it still needs to be intensified. 
“We want to see the involvement of more entrepreneurs in halal food products. New and existing entrepreneurs also need to take full advantage of the halal expo held to improve and expand their business,” Hajiji said at the opening of the Sabah Halal Expo (Sahex) and the Baurung-Urung Carnival at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu, on Oct 28. His speech was delivered by State Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya.
Hajiji said the Government is very concerned about halal management in the State as the global halal market is expected to reach USD2.4 trillion in 2024.
“The Government’s concern was expressed through the establishment of the Sabah Halal Council (Mahas) which acts as the Government’s official body in discussing, studying and making decisions on halal issues, as well as proposing new measures to develop the halal industry in the State. 

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“What is important in halal management is that all parties, departments and agencies involved focus specifically on strengthening aspects of halal certification, especially for MSMEs.
“This is important so that MSMEs are also able to compete and have capabilities in the halal industry market,” he said. 

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Through the efforts implemented by the State Government, Hajiji hoped the Sabah Halal Expo would strengthen the understanding of Malaysian Halal Certification among industry players and visitors to the expo.
“This expo can also establish a network of collaboration between domestic and foreign halal industry players, as well as introducing halal products made locally,” he stressed. 
On the Baurung-Urung Carnival, Hajiji said the State Government welcomed the carnival that can foster harmony and tolerance in the community regardless of race, race and religion. 
He hoped the Baurung-Urung Carnival would be one of the State’s cultural treasures that could be highlighted to tourists from within and outside the country. 
Hajiji said the people of Brunei, who have various treasures of art, culture and customs, can be part of the contributors to the tourism sector. 
“Continuous efforts need to be made to boost the tourism sector. Carnivals like this need to be promoted as one of the products to increase Sabah’s source of tourism income,” he said.
The launch of three books published by the Persatuan Masyarakat Brunei Sabah (PMBS) and the presentation of the PMBS Tokoh Award, as well as the MoU signing ceremony between Muis Holding Sdn Bhd and Saha Company from Thailand also took place at the event.
State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Muis Holding and Saha Farms would pave the way to strengthening halal products in Sabah.
Under the MoU, Saha Farms is supplying premium halal products to Sabah.
“We have signed a MoU with the biggest halal chicken producer in the world to collaborate with Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah, which hopefully will further increase the confidence of the people in Sabah in our halal products.
“It will also assist small and medium entrepreneurs by giving them continuous guidance from the MUIS Halal Hub,” he said when met after the opening ceremony.
As part of the efforts to strengthen the halal products in Sabah, Ariffin said a workshop was also organised consisting of halal experts from the various higher learning institutions and Jakim as well as related halal authorities.
Dr Mohd Ariffin, who is also PMBS President, said the Baurung-Urung Carnival was an initiative to promote the culture and delicacies of the Brunei community in Sabah.
Among the contents of the carnival included the PMBS award presentation, cultural show, Gambus and food competition.
“I hope people will come tomorrow (Sunday) to try out ambuyat (Sago) featuring a variety of dips.
Hopefully, it would also become a special recipe of Sabah,” he said. Also present were Yayasan Sabah Director Dato’ Sri Ghulamhaidar and Muis President Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin.

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