Kuala lumpur: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, to strengthen the national halal industry while ensuring compliance with Islamic law. Its director-general, Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, announced plans to develop a high-technology halal industry reference hub, to be known as the International Halal Innovation and Technology Centre, with implementation expected to begin this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the centre will expose the public to the halal industry and the technologies used, including the latest innovations in slaughtering processes and halal food production that are fast, efficient, and profitable, without compromising syariah requirements. Sirajuddin noted that the adoption of AI and robotics in the halal industry is inevitable, but must be implemented through a common platform involving industry players, technology experts, and religious authorities to ensure aligned understanding.

Sirajuddin emphasized that JAKIM is also strengthening cooperation with mentoring agencies to help businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), understand halal certification requirements and comply more easily with established standards. International interest in Malaysian halal products continues to grow, including from China, Mexico, the Balkan states, and Latin America.

However, language barriers remain a major challenge in penetrating new markets. Sirajuddin pointed out that they do not speak English, and Malaysians do not speak their languages, which hampers effective trade negotiations. To address this, efforts are underway to bridge the gap, including identifying intermediaries to help Malaysian halal products enter new markets such as Eastern Europe and Latin America.

In a related development, Sirajuddin mentioned the government's plans to establish the Malaysia International Islamic Faith Academy as a reference centre consolidating Islamic jurisprudence research conducted at local universities. This initiative aims to ensure authentic sources are widely accessible and to curb the spread of misinformation and teachings that contradict the Ahl Sunnah Wal Jamaah doctrine. Many of these studies are kept in libraries and remain underutilised, and the initiative seeks to bring them forward so they can be referenced by the public and serve as authoritative sources, including for technologies such as AI.