REMARKS BY TYT AMBASSADOR DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE PHILIPPINE HALAL DEVELOPMENT, PROMOTION AND ACCREDITATION BOARD (HALAL

BOARD) 30 JANUARY 2013 NATIONAL COMMISSION ON MUSLIM FILIPINOS (NCMF) QUEZON CITY The Honourable Mehol K. Sadain, Secretary of the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos, and Secretary of the Halal Board, The Honourable Commissioner Edilwasif Baddairi, Member of the Halal Board, The Honourable Jaime Olmos, Director of the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO), The Honourable Commissioner Esmail Ebrahim, Commissioner-inCharge of the NCMF Halal Programme, The Honourable Director Kim Edres, Project Director of the Halal Board, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Assalamualaikum W.B.T. and a very good afternoon, 1. I wish to thank the NCMF and the Halal Board for inviting me to the

launch of the Halal Board. I am indeed exceptionally pleased to be here to witness and deliver a message at this important event.

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There has been a traditional, as well as a growing importance in

halal affairs here in the Philippines. The Philippines is home to a significant Muslim population about ten percent of the countrys population of a hundred million. In addition, the Philippines, especially the Southern Philippines, sit in close proximity to the large Muslim populations of Southeast Asia, such as those in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Indeed, the prospects for the development of halal affairs in the Philippines are enormous. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 3. Malaysia and the Philippines, share many similarities in our

people, culture, geography, and of course, religion. I am happy to note that current cooperation between both countries on halal matters have been very encouraging. The growing importance of these relations was aptly demonstrated by the recent visit of the Honourable Mujiv Hataman, ARMM Officer-in-Charge, to Malaysia to attend the World Islamic Economic Forum in Johor Bahru in December 2012. 4. The NCMF has also visited Malaysia in the recent past to explore

the best ways both countries may work together on halal matters. I also recall that Director Dr. Dimapuno Alonto Datu Ramos of the NCMF had visited Malaysia last year to attend the International Conference on the Global Movement of the Moderates. On the other hand, the Department of Islamic Development of Malaysia, or JAKIM, had visited the Philippines in the past as well, primarily to enhance bilateral cooperation in halal accreditation.

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I am also happy to note that successful organisation of the

International Halal Seminar by the NCMF towards the end of last year, which saw the participation of international experts on Halal certification in Manila. Malaysia, on our part, will continue to support the Philippines, particularly the NCMF, in furthering its capabilities and capacities in developing the Philippine halal industry. 6. In addition to this, Malaysia and the Philippines have been

pursuing greater relations in Islamic affairs via the Joint Committee on the Assistance on the Socio-economic Advancement of Muslim Filipinos. There are plans for the Committee to meet this year in the Philippines, to intensity cooperation in the fields of madrasah education, halal industry, Tabung Haji, Islamic banking, university twinning and student-exchange programs, among others. 7. As some of you here may be aware, JAKIM has cooperated with

NCMF in the past, and this cooperation will surely continue in the future, particularly on halal accreditation. Malaysia will also continue to cooperate with the Philippines in the sharing of information and expertise between JAKIM and the NCFM. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 8. I believe that the halal industry in the Philippines will grow

substantially in the near future for the benefit of the Muslim Filipinos. I also believe that the growth of the halal industry will be compounded by the vastly improving situation on the ground in the Southern Philippines. The Framework Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has led to an improvement in
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peace, order and security in the region. When the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is signed in the near future between both parties, and with the successful implementation of the agreement, I am confident that the halal industry will continue to flourish to new heights. 9. I wish to also take this opportunity to add that Malaysia is

honoured to be able to play a role in bringing a lasting and just peace to the Southern Philippines, via our role as the Third Party Facilitator in the peace talks. Malaysia is also deeply honoured to be allowed to lead the International Monitoring Team, which has helped foster a conducive environment there for a negotiated peace to be achieved. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 10. Once again, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the NCMF

and the Halal Board for organising this important occasion. I am also pleased to wish you all the success in your undertakings in this noble Fardhu Kifayah for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah. Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, 11. I am confident that under the able leadership of the ladies and

gentlemen here, as well as the guidance of President Benigno Aquinos administration, the Halal Board will prove to be an unbridled success in its halal development, promotion and accreditation mission. Thank you and Maraming Salamat.