Posted by EngineeringProfit > 2 months ago | Report Abuse

Compulsory halal certification for small eateries in Malaysia could impose significant financial, operational, and cultural burdens. The costs of obtaining and maintaining certification, including application fees, regular inspections, and compliance with strict halal standards, may overwhelm small businesses, which often operate on tight margins. This could disrupt supply chains, increase operational costs, and reduce menu flexibility, especially for non-Muslim or niche eateries. Many small businesses thrive on traditional recipes or unique offerings, which may not comply with halal standards, leading to a loss of cultural diversity in Malaysia’s food scene. Furthermore, the requirement could create an uneven playing field, where large chains easily absorb these costs while small, independent businesses struggle. Non-Muslim business owners may feel alienated, and overregulation may stifle entrepreneurship and innovation. Forcing all eateries to comply with halal certification could also deepen social divisions and foster resentment between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. A more flexible, voluntary approach to halal certification would allow small businesses to thrive while still respecting Malaysia’s diverse cultural and religious landscape.