KUCHING – The Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civil service work culture while expanding the state’s halal certification ecosystem.
During a recent gathering at the Sarawak Islamic Complex, MIS President Datuk Misnu Taha emphasised that reforms in work culture must be anchored in sincerity, accountability and efficiency. He noted that civil servants must continuously adapt to remain relevant to the needs of the people.
“The work culture within the civil service must be continuously improved to remain relevant to current needs. Every responsibility entrusted must be carried out with full integrity, efficiency and a focus on results,” he said.
The event was attended by Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, who has been spearheading reforms under the 3R framework – Revisit, Rethink, Recharge.
This initiative aims to modernise governance and ensure that the civil service delivers measurable outcomes for the public.
More than 200 initiatives have already been rolled out under this framework, reflecting the state’s ambition to achieve developed status by 2030.
Datuk Misnu highlighted that strengthening work culture is essential to improving the efficiency of public service machinery.
He stressed that reforms must guarantee high-quality outcomes that directly benefit communities across Sarawak.
In addition to civil service reforms, MIS is also intensifying efforts to expand halal certification across the state.
The council has been actively engaging with food operators, particularly seafood restaurants, to encourage them to apply for halal recognition.
Records indicate that only 14 seafood outlets in Sarawak currently hold halal certification, with most located in Kuching and Bintulu.
“Halal certification not only increases consumer confidence but also opens up wider market opportunities for operators. As such, we are taking a proactive approach by going to the ground to assist and guide operators through the halal certification application process,” Datuk Misnu explained.
To encourage participation, the certification fee has been set at RM200 for a two-year period. Premises that successfully obtain certification will also benefit from promotional support to enhance visibility and public trust.
Datuk Misnu further clarified that the term Muslim-friendly should not be confused with halal status. Only premises with valid certification are officially recognised as halal.
“If there is no halal certificate, then halal status cannot be granted. This must be clearly understood to avoid confusion among the public,” he said.
The council’s integrated efforts, which involve collaboration with hotels, restaurants and small-scale operators, underline Sarawak’s broader commitment to strengthening halal governance.
These initiatives are expected to boost consumer confidence, support local businesses and reinforce the delivery of Islamic services across the state.
By combining civil service reforms with halal ecosystem development, Sarawak aims to build a more efficient, transparent and inclusive governance framework that benefits both the public and industry players.
