Malaysian halal certification glossary: JAKIM's terms in plain English.

Appeal (rayuan) is a company's written challenge to a decision of the Malaysian Halal Certification Panel, made to the competent authority within two weeks of that decision; a later appeal is not considered. It must concern certification procedure and activities, not legal offences or halal standards. The appeals panel's decision is notified within seven working days and is final. The step before a decision is an objection.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 68(1)–(6) (PDF pp.105–106)

ASEAN is the group of ten Southeast Asian countries JAKIM's manual lists: Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The term sets a fee: under Jadual 2, a company registered overseas that manufactures in Malaysia pays RM2,500 per application if it comes from an ASEAN country and RM10,000 if it comes from any other country (2020 amounts: confirm the current figures with JAKIM).

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.7), 8(2) Jadual 2

Every JAKIM fee, by who pays

BKKM (Bahagian Keselamatan dan Kualiti Makanan) is the Food Safety and Quality Division of Malaysia's Ministry of Health (KKM). BKKM issues the food premises registration certificate: JAKIM's food and drink products scheme requires every premises to hold a valid one, and condition 5(3) asks for BKKM registration wherever it applies.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, 5(3), 18(1)(a)

Competent authority (pihak berkuasa berwibawa) is the body that handles a halal application: JAKIM, or the state Islamic religious council or department (MAIN or JAIN), whichever applies. The scheme and the manufacturer's address in the MYeHALAL account decide which one handles yours, and the applicant cannot ask to change it. Central kitchens, chain food premises and food premises of one brand in two or more states go to JAKIM. Lampiran E lists 15 competent authorities: JAKIM and 14 state halal units.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.10), 21(8)–(11), Lampiran E (pp.112–113)

Consignment note (nota konsainan) is, in JAKIM's manual, the shipping contract document between an exporter and a transport agency; JAKIM's template for halal exports is the Letter of Halal Certification for Export. The letter verifies that the products described were approved halal by JAKIM and that the manufacturer holds a Malaysia Halal Certificate. Any party may request it from JAKIM by email; the 2020 fee is RM100 per consignee, paid in the name of JAKIM's Director General. The 2026 amended manual keeps these rules word for word.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.9), 14, 15(4), 61, Lampiran H (p.116)

The export-letter fee among JAKIM's fees

DVS (Department of Veterinary Services; Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar, JPV) is Malaysia's veterinary authority. Imported animal-based raw materials, such as beef, chicken or gelatin, must come from slaughterhouses or processing plants DVS has approved, and meat and poultry plants abroad are inspected and approved by JAKIM and DVS. Under JAKIM's international procedure, applicants for an abattoir or a meat-based product contact DVS. Where relevant, an applicant in Malaysia also needs DVS veterinary certification or a support letter.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, 5(4), 17(1)(c) · JAKIM's recognised-body list, p.66 · JAKIM notice (international manufacturing)

Halal Executive (Eksekutif Halal) is the person responsible for making sure a company or premises complies with halal requirements. JAKIM's manual sets five conditions for the post, listed below; the certificate must come from a halal training provider registered under JAKIM's HPB. Large and medium food and drink companies need a Halal Executive at every branch, and JAKIM's international procedure asks for one, a Muslim, with the application.

1. A Muslim
2. A Malaysian citizen
3. In a permanent post
4. A Diploma in Halal Management (or equivalent), or at least 5 years in halal management
5. A Halal Executive certificate from a provider registered under HPB

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (pp.7–8), 18(1)(f) · JAKIM notice, Table 1 (4)

Which companies need one: the rules by size

Halal logo (Logo Halal Malaysia) is the Malaysia Halal logo, used by holders of a valid SPHM who have the competent authority's permission. A contract manufacturer's OEM-scheme certificate does not let it put the logo on the products it makes: those products need their own SPHM under a product scheme, such as food and drink or cosmetics.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 41(1), 41(6) (PDF pp.87–88)

Contract manufacturing and JAKIM

Halal Supervisor (Penyelia Halal) is a permanent Malaysian Muslim employee who supervises the processing area and/or the management side. Small food and drink companies need one, alongside at least one permanent Malaysian Muslim employee in processing and an IHCS. Under the 2026 amended manual, a company's own Halal Supervisor or Halal Executive may give halal awareness training in-house to its own staff.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.10), 18(1)(f) · 17(12)(i), as amended 2026

HAS (Halal Assurance System; Sistem Jaminan Halal) is the set of procedures a company uses to keep halal assurance across its whole operation. Large and medium food and drink companies run a HAS, developed under JAKIM's MHMS 2020 manual, and their Internal Halal Committee develops, implements, monitors and controls it. A factory abroad certified under JAKIM's international procedure must run a HAS too.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.11), 18(1)(f) · JAKIM notice (international manufacturing)

HPB (Halal Professional Board; Majlis Profesional Halal) is the JAKIM board the manual names for registering halal training providers. A Halal Executive's certificate must come from a provider registered under HPB, and under the 2026 amended manual halal awareness training given by a third party must come from an organisation registered under HPB or from the competent authority. JAKIM publishes a register of halal training providers, the Daftar Penyedia Latihan Halal.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, definitions (pp.7–8) · 17(12)(c), (i), as amended 2026

IHCS (Internal Halal Control System; Sistem Kawalan Halal Dalaman) is a company's internal halal controls, made up of at least three procedures, listed below. Small and micro food and drink companies run an IHCS rather than a full HAS, developed under JAKIM's MHMS 2020 manual.

1. A halal policy
2. A raw-material control or halal-risk control procedure
3. A traceability procedure

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (pp.11–12), 18(1)(f)(i)–(iii)

Inspecting officer (pegawai pemeriksa) is a competent person appointed by the competent authority to carry out Malaysian halal certification audits or monitoring. At least two inspecting officers, qualified in Islamic affairs and/or the relevant technical field, carry out each site audit. They may monitor certificate holders without notice, and may recommend that the Panel withdraw a certificate after a serious Syariah nonconformity (NCR).

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.9), 28(2), 31(1), 31(5), 31(10)(c)

Internal Halal Committee (Jawatankuasa Halal Dalaman) is a committee appointed formally and in writing by a company's top management to develop, implement, monitor and control its HAS. Large and medium food and drink companies need one for the premises and for every branch with different operational management, and each member takes halal competency training at least every three years, from a provider registered under JAKIM's HPB or from the competent authority.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.8), 18(1)(f)(i)(c), 17(12)(e)

Jadual (schedule) is the Malay word for a fee table in JAKIM's manual. The 2020 manual sets its certification fees in six, shown below; the processing fee is RM20 per application, or RM200 for a company registered overseas that manufactures in Malaysia. Fees are paid to the competent authority handling the application. These are the 2020 amounts: confirm the current figures with JAKIM.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · Part III, 7–12 (pp.17–20), 15(2)–(3)

All six schedules, by who pays

Lampiran (appendix) is the Malay word for an appendix of JAKIM's manual. The manual has nine, A to I: A, non-halal names and brands; B, how hotel kitchens are counted; C, stunning parameters; D, the certification flowchart; E, the competent authorities' addresses; F, the raw-material summary; G, the SPHM; H, the consignment-note template; I, Islamic financial products and services.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · contents (PDF p.4)

MAIN / JAIN (Majlis Agama Islam Negeri / Jabatan Agama Islam Negeri) are the state Islamic religious councils and departments. With JAKIM they make up the competent authority for halal certification, so an application may be handled by a state body rather than by JAKIM, depending on the scheme and the manufacturer's address. Lampiran E lists the halal units of 14 Islamic religious departments, 13 states and the Federal Territories, besides JAKIM.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, definitions (p.10), 21(8), Lampiran E

Malaysian Halal Certification Panel (Panel Pengesahan Halal Malaysia) is the panel that decides certification on the results of audits and monitoring. The competent authority appoints its members, who must have no direct or indirect interest in any applicant. JAKIM issues the SPHM within five working days of the Panel's decision, or a period the competent authority sets. The Panel's decisions are listed below; a company may appeal within two weeks.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 34(1)–(2), 45(1)–(2), 48(1) as amended 2026, 68

Where the Panel sits in the process

MDA (Medical Device Authority; Pihak Berkuasa Peranti Perubatan) is the Ministry of Health's medical device regulator. JAKIM's medical device scheme covers devices registered with MDA that meet the definition in the Medical Device Act (Act 737), and an applicant needs a valid MDA establishment licence where relevant. Under JAKIM's international procedure, a medical-device factory abroad sends its MDA establishment licence, device registration and ISO 13485:2017.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, definitions (p.12), 5(6) · JAKIM notice, Table 1 (10)

MHMS (Malaysian Halal Management System; Sistem Pengurusan Halal Malaysia) is the integrated management system a company builds, runs and maintains to keep halal assurance, through an IHCS or a HAS. JAKIM's MHMS 2020 manual is read together with MPPHM 2020, and running an MHMS effectively is one of the conditions for a five-year certificate.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.12), 1(4), 35(3)

MS 1500 (Malaysian Standard 1500) is the Malaysian Standard for halal food. The food and drink products scheme requires MS 1500:2019, Halal Food – General Requirements (Third Revision). The slaughterhouse scheme names MS 1500:2009, Halal Food – Production, Preparation, Handling and Storage – General Guidelines (Second Revision), and JAKIM's list requires meat and poultry plants abroad to follow MS 1500:2009 and the Malaysian Protocol for Halal Meat and Poultry Productions.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 18(1)(e), 18(7)(e) · JAKIM's recognised-body list, p.66

MyHALALINGREDIENTS is a JAKIM system, in force from 15 August 2025, that records and assesses the raw materials industry uses, for all Malaysian halal certification schemes. It is integrated with MYeHALAL and cuts repeated submission of physical documents and repeated checks of the same ingredient. JAKIM invited every company involved in halal certification to register for its online briefing in August 2025.

Where JAKIM uses it: JAKIM media statement Bil. 35/2025, 14 Aug 2025

Najis mughallazah (severe impurity) is, in JAKIM's manual, dogs and pigs, including any fluid or object discharged from their orifices, their offspring and any derivative of either. Contact with it calls for sertu, the seven-wash cleansing the manual sets out, and any confirmed non-halal material is a serious nonconformity (NCR).

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.9), 58, 32(3)

NCR (Non Conformance Report) is the report of what an audit found out of line with JAKIM's requirements; the manual's Malay word for a nonconformity is ketidakakuran. The company replies formally, in writing, within the time set, with supporting documents and photographs; a missing or false reply can lead the inspecting officer to recommend rejection. The manual grades nonconformities as minor, major and serious, shown below.

1. Minor e.g. a raw material's producer changed without telling the authority in writing; records not produced
2. Major e.g. a supplier of doubtful halal status added; the raw-material control procedure not followed
3. Serious (Syariah) e.g. a raw material confirmed not halal; non-halal material used or mixed

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, 30(1)–(4), 32(1)–(3), 31(10)(c)

Where the audit and NCR replies sit in the process

NPRA (National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency; Bahagian Regulatori Farmasi Negara) is the Ministry of Health's pharmaceutical regulator. JAKIM's cosmetics scheme covers cosmetic products notified with NPRA, a cosmetic made for export only needs NPRA's permission letter, and an applicant needs a valid NPRA manufacturer's licence where relevant. Pharmaceutical products, by contrast, are registered with PBKD (Pihak Berkuasa Kawalan Dadah).

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, definitions (p.12), 5(5), 18(2)(a)

Objection (bantahan) is a company's challenge on its Malaysian halal certification, made at any point from the application until before the Panel's decision is issued. An objection may lengthen the application, and the decision on it is final. After the Panel's decision, the route is an appeal.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 67(1)–(3) (PDF p.105)

OEM scheme (skim pengilangan kontrak/OEM) is JAKIM's contract manufacturing scheme, for a company that manufactures products for other companies under a written contract, agreement or mutual consent. The manufacturer must hold its OEM-scheme SPHM, valid three years, before offering the service, and the scheme does not certify the products it makes: each product carrying the halal logo needs its own SPHM under the relevant scheme.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.12), 4(8), 17(17), 18(8)(b), (h), 35(2)(c)

Contract manufacturing and JAKIM

PBT (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan) is the local authority. Condition 5(2) asks every applicant in Malaysia for a licence or approval from the PBT, or a valid confirmation or support letter from a government agency. For a factory abroad, JAKIM's international procedure asks for the manufacturing licence from the local authority there.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 2, 5(2) · JAKIM notice, Table 1 (3)

Pekeliling (Pekeliling Pensijilan Halal Malaysia, the Malaysian Halal Certification circular) is the circular through which new or updated rules, conditions and procedures are put in force and announced, with the competent authority's official portal, before they take effect. Pekeliling Bil. 1 Tahun 2026, in force from 1 April 2026, reprints the 2020 manual as amended; among its changes are 17(12) on awareness training and 48(1) on the Panel's decisions. Pekeliling Bil. 2 Tahun 2026 cancels the 2020 circular on the Halal Certification Agreement.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 62(3) · Bil. 1/2026 · PDF · Bil. 2/2026 · PDF

Processing area (kawasan pemprosesan) is everything from receiving raw materials to finished products: storage, weighing, preparation, manufacturing, handling, packing, distribution, serving and selling. It must be free of non-halal or doubtful materials, and food and drink companies keep their Muslim employees on duty there throughout each operating period or shift.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.8), 17(3)(b)–(c), 18(1)(f)

Raw material (bahan mentah) is any ingredient or primary or secondary material used to make a product, processing aids (bahan bantuan pemprosesan) included; a processing aid is any auxiliary material used directly or indirectly in processing, such as microbial culture media, solvents or bleaching earth. Every raw material must be halal, safe, traceable to its original producer and declared in full in MYeHALAL, and MyHALALINGREDIENTS now records them.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.7), 17(1)(a), (e), 21(5)(b)–(c)

Raw materials among JAKIM's requirements

RS MIHA (Rakan Strategik MIHA) is a list JAKIM publishes of its strategic partners; the edition dated 18 June 2026 names 39 partners. MNS Modulaz Sdn. Bhd. is entry 18, with three named Fasilitator Halal (halal facilitators); its certificate is shown below. The official document confirming a product's halal status is its SPHM.

RSMIHA-2026-025valid 1 June 2026 – 31 May 2029 · list dated 18 June 2026

Where JAKIM uses it: JAKIM, Rakan Strategik list, 18 Jun 2026, p.12

About MNS Modulaz

Scheme (skim) is one of the nine categories JAKIM certifies under, shown below. The scheme and category must be chosen correctly in MYeHALAL, because an application under the wrong one is rejected, and the certificate's term follows the scheme (SPHM).

• Food and drink products
• Cosmetics
• Pharma­ceuticals
• Food premises
• Consumer goods
• Logistics
• Slaughter­houses
• Contract manu­facturing (OEM)
• Medical devices

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 4 (PDF p.14), 21(5)(a), 21(7), 35(2)

The requirements every scheme shares

Sertu is the cleansing of the body, clothing, places, utensils and equipment that touched najis mughallazah: seven washes, the first with water mixed with soil and six with clean water. A company must carry out sertu if contamination occurs, following JAKIM's sertu guideline; it may do so in-house only with a complete sertu procedure confirmed by the competent authority, and keeps sertu records for audit.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · definitions (p.11), 58(1)–(6)

SSM (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia) is the Companies Commission of Malaysia, the company registry. Condition 5(1) asks for a valid SSM business registration, a cooperative registration or an establishment document, and the MYeHALAL account is opened against that number. The manual does not say which document an overseas-registered company uses: confirm with JAKIM.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 5(1), 21(2)

Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011 is a Malaysian law made under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (APD 2011, Act 730), not a JAKIM system. JAKIM's manual is issued through its subparagraph 7(2), and JAKIM's foreign-body list is gazetted under it. Paragraph 5 says imported food and goods may be described as halal in Malaysia only if they meet the requirements or are certified by a foreign body JAKIM recognises (FHCB), and the importer or manufacturer marks that body's name on them.

Where JAKIM uses it: MPPHM 2020 · 1(2) · JAKIM's recognised-body list, cover and p.67

The routes for overseas companiesJAKIM certificate vs a foreign certificate