India Gate Restaurant Petaling Jaya Receives Malaysia Halal Certification, JAKIM Commends Commitment to Upholding Halal Standards

PETALING JAYA: India Gate Restaurant has achieved another significant milestone after its Petaling Jaya outlet officially received the Malaysia Halal Certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), making it the first outlet under the brand to obtain the prestigious recognition.

The certification marks another important achievement for the fine dining Indian restaurant, renowned for its authentic South Indian and North Indian cuisine, following its central kitchen’s successful attainment of Malaysia Halal Certification in 2024.

The certificate was presented by JAKIM Halal Management Division Senior Assistant Director, Siti Noorhuda, who described the achievement as a testament to the strong commitment demonstrated by the management and staff of India Gate Restaurant in ensuring every aspect of its operations complies with the standards of the Malaysia Halal Certification.

In her speech, she expressed her appreciation to India Gate Restaurant Founder and Manager, Saravanan Subramaniam, and the entire team for their continuous efforts throughout the certification process.

“Congratulations and thank you to the management and all staff of India Gate Restaurant on successfully obtaining the Malaysia Halal Certification. This achievement was not accomplished overnight, but is the result of the commitment and cooperation of everyone involved in ensuring all certification requirements were met,” she said.

According to Siti Noorhuda, obtaining the Malaysia Halal Certification requires comprehensive compliance with various requirements, including the sourcing of raw materials, meat suppliers, food preparation, premises hygiene, food safety, and the implementation of an effective Halal Assurance System.

She said India Gate Restaurant had demonstrated its dedication by implementing a comprehensive halal control system, enabling it to meet JAKIM’s stringent standards.

“More importantly, the company’s central kitchen has held the Malaysia Halal Certification since 2024. This reflects the company’s commitment to developing a comprehensive halal assurance system before extending it to its restaurant outlets,” she said.

She also revealed that another India Gate Restaurant outlet is currently awaiting approval from the JAKIM certification panel and is expected to become the brand’s second outlet to receive the Malaysia Halal Certification in the near future.

“I understand that another outlet is currently in the final stage of the certification process and awaiting the panel’s decision. God willing, India Gate Restaurant will soon have its second outlet certified under the Malaysia Halal Certification scheme.

“Once a company has successfully obtained certification for one or two outlets, the process for subsequent branches becomes much easier because the entire workforce already understands the responsibilities and commitments required,” she said.

She noted that the Malaysia Halal Certification today is not only about fulfilling Islamic requirements but also serves as a guarantee of hygiene, food safety, and quality—factors that are increasingly important to consumers.

“Consumers today do not merely look at whether the ingredients used are halal. They also want assurance that the food is prepared in a clean, safe environment that complies with food safety standards.

“That is the essence of the halalan toyyiban concept—food that is not only halal but also clean, safe, and of high quality,” she said.

According to her, the Malaysia Halal Certification also provides added value to businesses by enhancing customer confidence, particularly among Muslim consumers, while opening access to broader market opportunities.

However, she stressed that obtaining the certification should not be regarded as the end goal, but rather the beginning of a greater responsibility to maintain the standards achieved.

“More importantly, after obtaining the certification, companies must continue to uphold consumer trust. Halal certification is not merely a certificate to be displayed, but must be reflected through continuous compliance in every aspect of business operations.

“This is the commitment that every holder of the Malaysia Halal Certification must uphold,” she said.
She explained that JAKIM will continue conducting regular monitoring and enforcement activities, including surprise inspections, to ensure all certificate holders consistently comply with the stipulated requirements and standards.

She added that such inspections are carried out in collaboration with relevant agencies, as the Malaysia Halal Certification encompasses compliance with multiple requirements, including public health and food safety standards.

“Halal certification requires continuous commitment from the entire organisation, not just the management. Every employee has a role to play in ensuring halal standards are consistently maintained,” she said.

Meanwhile, India Gate Restaurant Founder and Manager Saravanan Subramaniam described the certification as a historic milestone for the company after undergoing a rigorous and comprehensive compliance process.

He said the recognition reflects the restaurant’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every dish served meets the required halal, hygiene, and food safety standards.

“This certification is not merely a recognition, but a great responsibility for us to continue maintaining our customers’ trust.

“This achievement is the result of the dedication of the entire India Gate Restaurant team, and we will continue strengthening our halal assurance system across all our outlets,” he said.

He added that India Gate Restaurant will continue pursuing the Malaysia Halal Certification for its other outlets in stages, in line with the company’s commitment to strengthening its brand as a trusted fine dining Indian restaurant for all segments of society.

Concluding her remarks, Siti Noorhuda expressed hope that the success of India Gate Restaurant’s Petaling Jaya outlet would inspire more restaurants to obtain the Malaysia Halal Certification, thereby strengthening consumer confidence in Malaysia’s halal industry.

“JAKIM greatly appreciates companies that are committed to developing the nation’s halal industry. Close collaboration between the industry and JAKIM will continue to strengthen consumer confidence while supporting the growth of Malaysia’s halal ecosystem.

“I hope today’s achievement will inspire the entire India Gate Restaurant network to continue upholding halalan toyyiban standards and expand the Malaysia Halal Certification to more outlets in the future,” she said.