KUALA LUMPUR - Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's vision of realising the halal industry as a source of national economic growth has positioned Malaysia as a leader in the global halal industry to this day, said the Halal Development Corporation (HDC).
Its chairman, Khairul Azwan Harun, said that the fifth prime minister was a key figure who proposed and initiated the idea of establishing HDC in 2006 and played a significant role in advancing Malaysia's halal industry.
"With heavy hearts and deep sorrow, all board members, management, and staff of HDC express their condolences to Abdullah's family.
"We greatly appreciate his contributions to the development of the country's halal economy. May his soul rest in peace and be placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah," he said.
Abdullah, affectionally known as Pak Lah, passed away at the age of 85 at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur at 7.10pm on Monday.
Meanwhile, Khairul Azwan said that HDC will continue to uphold Abdullah's vision of strengthening Malaysia as a global halal hub.
Founded on September 18, 2006, HDC is the primary driver of the integrated and comprehensive halal ecosystem and infrastructure, and it currently operates under the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry of Malaysia (MITI).
Abdullah announced the establishment of HDC during the World Halal Forum in 2006, creating a special platform to enable the country to emerge as a leader in the industry on the global stage, leveraging Malaysia's strengths, particularly in halal certification. - BERNAMA