MIHAS: Pahang Eyes Major Halal Hub Status, Kuantan Port To Go Halal-Friendly
By Nor Liyana binti Zulkifli
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- The Pahang government plans to position the state as a major halal hub in Peninsular Malaysia by branding Kuantan Port as a halal-friendly port, leveraging its integration with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
Pahang Economic Planning Division secretary Norliza Mohamed Ali said the ECRL rail link connecting Port Klang and Kuantan Port would reduce the transit time for goods and facilitate direct exports to markets such as Borneo, China and the Philippines.
The initiative could strengthen the halal supply chain and improve access to domestic and international markets, she said.
The plan is also aligned with the development of Gebeng Halal Park as Pahang’s second halal hub, complementing the existing Pahang Gambang Halal Park.
“With Kuantan Port’s strategic location on the East Coast, the Pahang state government also sees the need to strengthen logistics through the development of Kuantan Port towards becoming a halal-friendly port.
"This initiative has the potential to strengthen the halal supply chain and provide better access to domestic and international markets,” said Norliza.
She was speaking during the Bernama Mobile Studio (BMS) programme, held in conjunction with the final day of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), here today.
Norliza said Pahang was recognised as the first “state partner” at MIHAS this year, describing it as a strategic step in strengthening the state’s participation and commitment to the event.
The participation also provided opportunities for Pahang entrepreneurs to meet buyers directly and explore new business opportunities overseas, she said.
The state government has participated consistently in international platforms since 2023, including MIHAS Dubai 2024 and MIHAS Shanghai 2025.
“MIHAS complements the efforts being undertaken by the Pahang state government. MIHAS not only provides entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their products.
“More importantly, it provides business-to-business (B2B) opportunities through participation in the International Sourcing Programme (INSP), involving buyers, distributors and investors from within and outside the country,” she said.
Norliza said Pahang MSMEs had previously signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and business cooperation agreements with overseas trading partners following their participation in international events.
The 20 Pahang micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs participating in this year’s MIHAS were encouraged to register under the INSP organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), she said.
“This year, the Pahang state government brought 20 Pahang entrepreneurs with halal-certified products or products in the process of obtaining halal certification, offering a diverse range of products and services to potential buyers,” said Norliza.
She said state government support had also helped empower nearly 40,000 MSME entrepreneurs in Pahang, particularly in obtaining halal certification and developing new business packages.
Norliza urged more entrepreneurs to take advantage of state government facilities, grants and financing to promote their products internationally.
MIHAS, an initiative of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, enters its 22nd edition this year after being launched in 2004.
The event has grown from about 500 exhibition booths generating RM350 million in sales to more than 2,000 booths and nearly RM5 billion in revenue at the 21st edition last year.
-- BERNAMA