Permeka chairman Nik Hassan Zain said restaurant owners have not been officially informed of the move, reported Sinar Harian.
Nik Hassan said the need to obtain halal certification has to be discussed with the Kelantan Islamic affairs department first.
He said most restaurant operators are small and medium-sized enterprises with financial constraints and cannot meet the halal certification requirements immediately because of the high costs.
“We are appealing for a postponement because many businesses are not ready,” he said, suggesting that it be implemented only after January 2026, if necessary.
He said the authorities should publicise the proposal at least six months in advance through circulars or in social media before the application process.
“We need to obtain halal certification from suppliers, which could take more than three months, especially if it involves chicken supplies and ingredients from overseas, including Thailand.
“The financial status of the traders is also an important factor as there are requirements that may involve refurbishing restaurant or kitchen space.”
Nik Hassan also suggested that traders be invited to attend mandatory courses related to halal certification throughout 2025 before they submit their applications.
He said he has written to the Kota Bharu municipal council to discuss the matter.
On Thursday, Islamic development, dakwah, information and regional relations committee chairman Asri Mat Daud said all food and beverage establishment owners in Kelantan will soon be required to possess halal certification as a condition for renewing their business licences.
Asri said while the exact timeline for enforcement across the state has not yet been specified, the Kota Bharu municipal council will be the first to enforce the requirement.
Separately, local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said yesterday that non-Muslim outlets will not be affected by the state government’s decision.
Hilmi said while the ruling would only apply to outlets serving Muslims, non-Muslim outlets will have to be halal certified if they sell consumables to Muslim customers.
Yesterday, the Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) said halal certification should not be made compulsory as it would be a burden to small and medium enterprises and small traders, especially with the costs involved.
In September, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Cabinet had agreed to maintain the long-standing policy that halal certification will be on a voluntary basis.
Zahid said the policy, which has been in place since 1974, would remain in effect, and that halal certification would only be for companies willing to comply with all the relevant requirements, standards, and regulations.