GOV'T PROCESSES MUST BE SIMPLIFIED, STREAMLINED TO HELP MALAYSIAN TRADERS - SIM

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- Government processes and procedures at all levels must be simplified and aligned to ensure Malaysian traders can operate with clarity, without confusion or differing interpretations of regulations, said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim.

Referring to non-Islamic religious decorations, Sim said the clarification given by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan should be respected and used as a common guide to ensure clear and consistent implementation.

“It is time to ensure that Malaysian businesses can continue to grow, regardless of race, religion, state or region, including those in the food and hotel sectors, which involve many Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

bootstrap slideshow

“This forms part of the ministry’s ABCD strategy, which covers accelerating productivity, reducing bureaucracy, improving access to capital and developing market access,” he said in a statement today.

Earlier, Zulkifli said Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) holders are not prohibited from using images, illustrations or decorations related to non-Islamic religious celebrations, as long as they meet the set conditions and do not compromise the principle of halalan thoyyiban.

He said temporary decorations, images and illustrations linked to non-Islamic religious celebrations on food products are also permitted.

However, he stressed that the use of worship-related items is not allowed, and that decorations within premises must not involve the display of SPHM or the Malaysian Halal logo.

-- BERNAMA