Bandar Seri Begawan – His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented for the enforcement of the Halal Certificate and Label Order 2005 starting August 1, 2008.
Restaurant operators are urged to obtain halal and logo certification for their respective restaurants. Since the introduction of the Halal Logo and Certificate Order 2008, only ten percent or one hundred and ten from more than one thousand restaurants and eateries outlets in the country have obtained the forms for halal logo and certification. The Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs made the call at a kesyukuran and presentation of official Halal Certificate and Halal Label for Airport Restaurant and Airport Express Fast Food, this morning.
According to Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin, currently the 2005 Halal Ceritificate and Label does not require restaurant operators to have halal certificate and label. Yang Berhormat added, it was at par with other neighboring countries that have similar regulations. However, restaurant operators there, especially the non-muslim ones, made efforts to get the halal certificate and logo of common benefits. These include in business and public interests in terms of identifying the facilities and the restaurants with halal foods according to the Islamic laws. Yang Behormat also noted that restaurant operators in neighboring countries including the non-muslims have made effort to obtain the halal certificate and logo for their business.
The Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs presented the Halal Certificate and Logo to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Awang Haji Alaihuddin, who’s Chairman of the Royal Brunei Catering, R.B.C. This proved R.B.C’s seriousness in its corporate contribution in implementing the government in aspect of Halal Centre and supporting the Malay Islamic Monarchy concept, apart from playing its role to provide awareness to the people on the importance of halal aspect in daily life including food consumption. In July last year, thirty products of the Royal Brunei Catering such as beef patties, chicken and beef sausage, bread, biscuits and pralines have been certified as halal products. The presentation of halal certificate and logo to R.B.C’s Express Fast Food became the first restaurant to be certified with halal status in the country.