Nestlé Malaysia continues to strengthen its long-standing commitment to Halal development in Malaysia through a series of holistic initiatives that span education, industry capability building and supply chain excellence. In collaboration with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), this commitment was highlighted through the SYNERGY (Strengthening Your Network and Ecosystem for Resilient Growth) Halal Nestlé Malaysia initiative, held under the theme “Memacu Halal, Memperkasa Komuniti”.
The programme demonstrated how strong partnerships between stakeholders can help build a more inclusive, sustainable and future-ready Halal industry. It also reinforces Malaysia’s position as a global leader in Halal standards and governance, supported by continuous collaboration between industry and regulatory bodies.
JAKIM acknowledged Nestlé Malaysia’s comprehensive Halal ecosystem, which has been developed over decades. Since its early involvement in Halal practices in the 1970s, Nestlé Malaysia has played a significant role in shaping industry standards. Today, its commitment extends beyond manufacturing, covering education, community engagement, industry development and supply chain strengthening.
As the Global Centre of Halal Excellence for the Nestlé Group, Nestlé Malaysia also contributes to the global sharing of best practices developed locally. These efforts help reinforce trust and consistency in Halal standards across international markets, further positioning Malaysia as a key reference point for Halal excellence.
According to Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia, the company’s role in Malaysia’s Halal journey is a long-term responsibility that is embedded across its entire value chain. He emphasized that collaboration with JAKIM and other stakeholders has enabled the development of a strong ecosystem that supports youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and local supply chain growth.
He added that Nestlé Malaysia will continue to strengthen its efforts in scaling initiatives that contribute to the growth of Malaysia’s Halal industry. This includes expanding partnerships and enhancing programmes that build capability across various levels of the ecosystem.
JAKIM’s Director of Halal Management Division, Ustaz Muhyidin bin Aziz @ Saari, highlighted that the development of a credible Halal ecosystem requires continuous cooperation between regulators, industry players and the wider community. He noted that Malaysia’s Halal standards are widely recognised internationally, making consistent compliance and capability building essential.
He further stated that initiatives like those implemented by Nestlé Malaysia play an important role in strengthening the industry. Such collaborations complement national efforts and contribute to Malaysia’s continued position as a leading global Halal hub.
Over the years, Nestlé Malaysia has introduced several programmes to strengthen Halal awareness and knowledge. Through Halal@School, in collaboration with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), more than 6,000 students across Peninsular Malaysia have been exposed to foundational Halal education. The programme has also expanded through state-level and mega editions, including initiatives in Melaka.
The company also launched Halal@STEM in 2025 with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), engaging more than 300 secondary school students in Melaka and Terengganu. The initiative introduces science and technology through a Halal-focused perspective. In addition, the HalalSTEM Expo with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan saw participation from 500 students in Pahang.
For youth development, the Nestlé Youngpreneurs Programme has benefited 200 students from UPM and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia by providing business exposure and Halal best practices. Meanwhile, the SME Mentoring Programme, established in 2010 with Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and SME Corp, has supported more than 1,200 MSMEs in their Halal certification journey.
Nestlé Malaysia has also extended its efforts into logistics through a Halal certification mentoring initiative for third-party logistics providers in collaboration with JAKIM. The programme engaged 50 participants from 27 logistics companies, strengthening Halal compliance across the supply chain.
In addition, public awareness on Halal has been expanded through a podcast collaboration with Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM), reaching over 120,000 digital listeners and nearly 600,000 radio listeners nationwide. These initiatives collectively highlight Nestlé Malaysia’s commitment to integrating Halal as a core value across its operations.
Looking ahead, Nestlé Malaysia remains committed to further strengthening Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem through expanded initiatives, deeper collaborations and continuous capability development. The company aims to nurture future talent, enhance industry readiness and support the growth of a resilient Halal value chain.
Through sustained collaboration with stakeholders such as JAKIM, Nestlé Malaysia continues to contribute to Malaysia’s leadership in the global Halal economy, reinforcing its role as a key driver in shaping a sustainable and future-ready Halal industry.
