Azlan Othman
Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman underlined the need to improve Halalan Thayyiban products and services through the Maqasid Syariah, which calls for preservation of religion, life, intellect, progeny and property.
He said this at the launch of the International Seminar and Halalan Thayibban Products on Services Expo under Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2023 (Brunei MYCE 2023) at Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Jalan Pengiran Babu Raja.
The minister added that the Sultanate has implemented several laws to enforce the concept of Halalan Thayyiban, which include the Halal Certificate and Halal Label Order 2005 and Chapter 182 of the Halal Meat Act under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Religious Council and the Wholesome Meat Order 2011 under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Primary Resources as well as Chapter 182 of the Public Health (Food) Act, Chapter 183 of the Poison Act, and Chapter 161 of the Intoxicating Substances Act to maintain public health, welfare and safety.
Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin, citing Chapter 182 of the Public Health (Food) Act, said it contains provisions on the power of the Minister of Health to prevent the importation, advertising, and sale of products that endanger life or health.
Similarly, he added, enforcement officers have the power to destroy foods deemed harmful to health.
“In the context of food, the laws of this country protect Muslims from food that is not guaranteed to be halal, even if it is not harmful to health,” said the minister.
He added, “Everything needs to be managed and handled efficiently. For that, it needs the support of experienced and knowledgeable human resources to serve with integrity with the support of advanced technology.”
The International Halalan Thayyiban Product and Services is open to the public until tomorrow.
Visitors have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of contemporary halal issues, learn about the role of government agencies and authorities in halal certification, as well as interact with regional and international halal certification bodies.
The expo also features traders and foreign direct investment companies in the halal industry.
