“I am not prejudiced against other religions, but why do we (Muslims) startedstart something, but then we are still left behind? It is unfortunate that halal products were issued by our experts, but the people who are making the most out of the opportunities created are the non-Muslims who dominate a large portion of halal ingredients. Where are we in this scenario?", Hehe asked in his opening speech during the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) Halal Conference, here today.

Also present were Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister, Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister in The Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Secretary General of SMIIC, Ihsan Ovut.

"The time is right for the Muslim countries to move together using a holistic approach and act aggressively so as not to be marginalized anymore," added the Deputy Prime Minister.

He then explained, the Muslim population will reach 1.3 billion by 2030 and halal products will be a vast market and the Muslim countries have to step intoto the forefront.