Religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said obtaining halal certification was currently on a voluntary basis for restaurant operators or food business owners.

“At present, there are no laws requiring restaurant operators or food companies to obtain halal certification,” he told a press conference during the International Conference on Family Law 2024.

“To mandate that all (restaurants) have halal certification, several Acts or laws will need to be amended. Many agencies will need to be involved in enforcing this.”

Na’im also said the Muslim community should be more proactive in verifying the halal status of restaurants through platforms provided by Jakim, such as the Halal Malaysia Portal.

He said heightened awareness among consumers could help apply pressure on restaurant operators to secure halal certification.

On Tuesday, Jakim confirmed that six popular food and beverage outlets regularly patronised by Muslims were not halal-certified.

It listed Johnny’s, Black Canyon, Dolly Dim Sum, Mr Dakgalbi, Bungkus Kaw Kaw, and Ayam Penyet Best (except for four outlets) as not having halal certificates.