Sarawak Islamic Agencies Strengthen New Work Culture, Expand Halal Certification
KUCHING: Islamic agencies in Sarawak have been urged to continue strengthening a new work culture within the civil service to ensure service delivery remains relevant, effective and provides direct benefits to the people.
Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) President Datuk Misnu Taha stressed that the leadership approach and new work culture being implemented must be grounded in sincerity, efficiency and accountability to ensure that every policy and initiative truly benefits the public.
“The work culture within the civil service must be continuously improved to remain relevant to current needs.
“Every responsibility entrusted must be carried out with full integrity, efficiency and a focus on results,” he said.
He said this when speaking at a gathering with Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki at the Sarawak Islamic Complex on Friday.
Datuk Misnu added that strengthening the work culture is crucial to enhancing the efficiency of the public service machinery, ensuring that benefits reach the people, and guaranteeing high-quality, high-impact outcomes.
In a related development, he also reaffirmed the Sarawak Islamic Council’s continued commitment, together with relevant agencies, to strengthening the state’s halal ecosystem, particularly by encouraging food premises operators, including seafood restaurants, to obtain halal certification.
“Halal certification not only increases consumer confidence but also opens up wider market opportunities for operators.
“As such, we are taking a proactive approach by going to the ground to assist and guide operators through the halal certification application process,” he said.
He noted that the halal certification fee has been set as low as RM200 for a two-year period to encourage more premises to obtain halal recognition.
In addition, premises that successfully obtain halal certification will be supported through promotional efforts to enhance visibility and public confidence in their halal status.
At the same time, Datuk Misnu emphasised that the term ‘Muslim-friendly’ cannot be equated with halal status, and only premises with valid halal certification are officially recognised as halal.
“If there is no halal certificate, then halal status cannot be granted. This must be clearly understood to avoid confusion among the public,” he said.
These integrated efforts, including collaboration with relevant agencies and industry players such as hotels, restaurants and small-scale operators, reflect the state government’s continued commitment to strengthening halal governance and the delivery of Islamic services in Sarawak. -UKASnews
