Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is ready to take the lead in building an integrated halal-Islamic finance economy that will deliver inclusive growth and prosperity, not only for Muslims but also for the global community, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He emphasized the country’s strong governance framework, supported by the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013, as a key factor in providing clarity, protection, and credibility to investors and consumers.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid highlighted that leadership in Malaysia’s Islamic finance sector is built on trust. He pointed out that the governance framework inspires confidence and stability. During his keynote address at the Global Islamic Finance Summit (GIFS) 2025, he noted that Malaysia’s credibility is reinforced by strict enforcement measures, which include penalties of up to RM25 million and custodial sentences of up to eight years for breaches, thereby ensuring the industry’s integrity.
Moving forward, Ahmad Zahid outlined three priorities to strengthen Malaysia’s role in the global halal-Islamic finance ecosystem. The first priority is to mainstream halal financing as a growth driver across strategic sectors such as food, healthcare, tourism, and technology. The second is to accelerate human capital development by producing halal auditors, executives, and professionals who uphold global standards of integrity.
The third priority is to reaffirm Malaysia’s role as a global standard-setter through renewed platforms such as the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) and the Global Islamic Finance Forum, shaping the international agenda. Ahmad Zahid expressed that the vision beyond these priorities is to elevate the meaning of halal certification beyond food safety and religious compliance to encompass the legitimacy of the wealth behind it, free from prohibited elements like usury (riba’).
He stated that halal must embody not only what enters our mouths but also the integrity of how it is produced, financed, and delivered. This vision aims to create a holistic halal economy, pure in both substance and spirit. The GIFS is an annual summit held to celebrate the achievements of individuals, institutions, and governments in promoting and advancing Islamic banking and finance, ensuring its commitment to social responsibility.