Malaysia to promote proposal for Asean halal council

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Malaysia is set to propose the creation of an ASEAN Halal Council, with plans for the country to act as its secretariat, during the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2026. This initiative aims to enhance regional cooperation and governance in the halal industry, supporting Malaysia’s ambition to lead and expand its influence in the global halal market.

Malaysia plans to promote a proposal for establishing an ASEAN Halal Council during the upcoming Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2026, with the country suggested to serve as its secretariat. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also chairs the Halal Industry Development Council. The event is scheduled to take place from September 23 to 26 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The decision to push for the ASEAN Halal Council was reached at a recent meeting focused on enhancing governance, boosting investment, and expanding market access within Malaysia’s halal industry. Additionally, Malaysia has engaged in discussions with Saudi Arabia regarding the formation of a World Halal Development Council, which Saudi Arabia is proposed to chair.

Malaysia’s halal sector continues to display robust growth, contributing 7.6% to the nation’s GDP, equivalent to RM81.25 billion as of June 30, 2026. Export values in the sector stood at RM33.29 billion, while investment in Halal Industrial Parks reached RM13.73 billion. Despite these figures, only 14.7% of halal-certified companies are involved in exporting, pointing to an ongoing gap in international market participation.

To further stimulate growth, the government has agreed to facilitate halal certification processes for micro, small, and medium enterprises through a pilot program in Kampung Baru. This initiative includes the deployment of Halal Development Officers and the integration of local licensing systems with the national MyHalal platform. Malaysian authorities, including the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and Halal Development Corporation, also plan intensified promotional activities for 14 Halal Malaysia-status Industrial Parks, which currently host 389 active investors.

Highlighting regional development, the meeting expressed in-principle support for the Sarawak Halal Industry Development Plan 2026-2030, aimed at creating an Integrated Borneo Halal Hub. The success of the Negri Sembilan Cottage Halal Initiative was also noted; this program assisted 360 out of 390 entrepreneurs in obtaining halal certification and is intended to serve as a national reference model.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid emphasized the sector’s potential to become a key driver of Malaysia’s economy while positioning the country as a competitive, credible, and sustainable hub in the global halal market. The proposals and plans ahead underscore Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen its leadership role both regionally within ASEAN and on the broader international halal stage.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.