No Halal Cert, No ‘Buffet Ramadan’—Negeri Sembilan Issues Reminder

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Restaurants and eateries in Negeri Sembilan without halal certification have been warned against using terms such as “Buffet Ramadan” in their advertising, or risk hefty fines.

The Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) issued the reminder on social media, saying such terms could mislead or deceive Muslim consumers.

Don’t use the term ‘Buffet Ramadan’ and similar words if you don’t have a Malaysian Halal Certification.

The warning comes ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan, when special meal promotions and buffet spreads become common across the country.

Under Section 29(II) of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Act 2011, businesses found guilty of misleading consumers can be prosecuted and fined up to RM500,000.

Radio, Billboards, Social Media: Ban Covers Every Advertising Platform

JHEAINS also listed other prohibited terms for non-halal certified establishments, including “Iftar Set”, “Jom Berbuka Puasa” (Let’s Break Fast), and “Muslim Friendly”.

The ban applies across all advertising platforms, including radio, television, newspapers, banners, billboards, flyers, and social media.

The department’s infographic showed a chef and a man in traditional Malay attire looking at an empty buffet tray, with a bold warning: “No Halal Certificate, No Buffet Ramadan”.

Malaysia takes halal certification seriously, with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) serving as the country’s official halal certification body.

Only businesses that have obtained proper halal certification from JAKIM or state Islamic authorities are allowed to use halal-related terms in their marketing materials.

RM500K to RM10 Million: Previous Warnings Showed Serious Penalties Ahead

The warning is a timely reminder for food businesses to ensure their ads comply with the rules, especially as Ramadan approaches and everyone’s looking for halal places to break fast.

Sarawak’s Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) issued a similar warning in February 2025—almost exactly a year ago.

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The Sarawak notice listed the same prohibited terms for establishments without halal certification, including:

• Buffet Ramadan
• Iftar Ramadan
• Jom Iftar
• Citarasa Ramadan
• Makanan Orang Islam
• Jom Berbuka
• Selera Ramadan
• Ditanggung Halal
• Dijamin Halal
• Juh Sungkei/Sahur
• Buffet Sungkei
• Buffet Buka Puasa
• Set Sungkei
• Set Ramadan

The penalties mentioned were also similar—up to RM500,000 in fines under the Trade Descriptions Act (APD 2011), with an additional note on penalties under the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal), which could reach RM10 million.

JAKIM itself has issued similar nationwide warnings, with the federal halal authority’s infographic circulating on social media in January 2025, listing the same prohibited terms and maximum penalty.

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READ MORE: Doctored Headline About Halal Certification For Pork Goes Viral

READ MORE: “Better Off At A Buffet!” – RM150 For Just 9 Items At Ramadan Bazaar

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No Halal Cert, No ‘Buffet Ramadan’—Negeri Sembilan Issues Reminder
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