JAIP Targets All Food Premises At Pahang LPT R&Rs To Obtain Halal Certification This Year

KUANTAN, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) aims to have all food premises at rest and service areas (R&Rs) along the East Coast Expressway (LPT) in the state obtain halal certification by the end of this year.

JAIP director Datuk Ahmad Khirrizal Ab Rahman said the target was aimed at giving consumers, particularly Muslims, confidence in the cleanliness, safety and sources of the food provided.

“So far, 50 food premises along the LPT have obtained halal certification, including those at the Temerloh eastbound and Temerloh westbound R&Rs and Genting Highlands, which have been declared halal zones.

“Our aim is to ensure that 100 per cent of the premises at R&Rs along the LPT obtain halal certification,” he told reporters after launching the halal zone at the Gambang R&R (westbound) here today.

He said the halal zone initiative at the Gambang R&R, carried out in collaboration with LPT operator AFA PRIME Berhad, further strengthened the halal ecosystem along the expressway.

Ahmad Khirrizal said JAIP was ready to provide guidance and advisory services to entrepreneurs in Pahang who were interested in obtaining halal certification, in addition to proposing financial assistance as an incentive, subject to the allocation under the state government budget.

“JAIP will certainly assist with document preparation and provide advisory services. We have also proposed financial assistance to help entrepreneurs obtain halal certification,” he said.

He said that so far, 595 food-related premises throughout Pahang had obtained halal certification, covering various schemes including food premises, products, original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and abattoirs.

-- BERNAMA