VP Meets with Malaysia’s Deputy PM, Discusses Halal Industry and Worker Protection

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming encourages strengthening cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia in the halal industry. Halal products are seen as having great potential for expansion into the global market.

“Malaysia is our close friend. Our strategic partner,” said VP Gibran while receiving a visit from Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Vice-Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal, said that VP Gibran is pushing to accelerate the formation of the ASEAN Halal Council to strengthen halal cooperation in the region. “Once it’s established, this will elevate the status of halal,” said Haikal.

As a first step, Indonesia and Malaysia plan to initiate the Indonesia-Malaysia Halal Council. This council is scheduled to be formed by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the global market value of halal products is USD 1.3 trillion. “Indonesia and Malaysia have the market share to offer halal products to the entire world,” he said.

In addition to the halal industry, Ahmad Zahid said that Malaysia also wishes to expand rural development in collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Villages. “There are many similarities between Indonesia and Malaysia. Perhaps in the future we can share experiences and plans to advance rural areas,” he said.

Indonesia also highlighted the issue of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) employed in Malaysia. Minister of Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Mukhtarudin said that VP Gibran presented two proposals to the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister.

“The VP called for optimal protection for PMI in Malaysia. He also urged an increase in quotas for the formal sector, as the majority of PMI currently work in the informal sector,” said Minister Mukhtarudin. (Gusti Panji)