Jakarta: Malaysia has proposed the formal establishment and launch of the ASEAN Halal Council in the country in September 2027 as part of efforts to turn the idea of a regional halal council into a functioning institution, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia is also prepared to serve as the council's secretariat, subject to the agreement of ASEAN member states and partners, while proposing Indonesia as its inaugural chair. Ahmad Zahid emphasized the importance of transitioning from discussion to institution, a concept first introduced last year by Malaysia and Indonesia. He delivered this message in his keynote address at the fifth Halal 20 (H20) Summit.
The ASEAN Halal Council was initially proposed by Ahmad Zahid during a Malaysia-Indonesia halal industry roundtable and his meeting with Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka in Jakarta in April 2025. Both countries agreed in May of that year to jointly lead its formation. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH), stated that the proposal had been submitted to the ASEAN Secretariat and would next be presented at the ASEAN Summit in Manila for endorsement.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that ASEAN must act swiftly as the halal economy is expanding rapidly, and the market will not wait for the region to organize itself. He highlighted the necessity of establishing the council's mandate, governance, and initial deliverables to ensure readiness from the outset. He also sees the ASEAN Halal Council as a foundational step towards the proposed World Halal Development Council, with further discussions planned at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in Kuala Lumpur later this month.
On the broader halal economy, Ahmad Zahid reported that Muslim consumer spending across six key sectors reached USD2.6 trillion in 2024 and is projected to increase to approximately USD3.56 trillion by 2029. Halal food alone accounts for over USD1.5 trillion in spending. He pointed out that ASEAN, with over 250 million halal consumers, has the potential to become a significant player in the global halal economy. However, he noted that differences in standards, certification, and accreditation continue to pose challenges, creating friction and barriers for businesses across markets.
Ahmad Zahid arrived in Jakarta for a four-day working visit at the invitation of Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organising Agency in conjunction with the summit.