In Sarawak, trust can matter as much as the halal logo

At 126 Laksa, a busy breakfast spot in Kuching, Malays and Chinese share tables over bowls of steaming food. One detail stands out: the restaurant does not display a halal logo, yet Muslim diners eat there without apparent concern.

In Sarawak, halal remains important, but trust and familiarity can carry nearly as much weight as formal certification. That differs from the role the logo often plays in Peninsular Malaysia, where it serves as a quick guide for Muslim consumers choosing where to eat.

Malaysia operates a formal halal certification system overseen by the federal Islamic authority JAKIM and state Islamic authorities, but certification remains voluntary. In Sarawak, the difference reflects the state’s social setting rather than a separate halal standard. Sarawak, like neighboring Sabah, is more religiously and ethnically diverse than much of Peninsular Malaysia.

That diversity appears in everyday eating habits. Pork is often absent from shopping-mall food courts, making it easier for Muslim diners to choose meals. Other restaurants are regarded as Muslim-friendly even without official certification. Kantin at the Granary is one such Kuching venue, and the lack of a halal logo does not appear to discourage Muslim customers.

At 126 Laksa, menus carry Chinese characters, while the kitchen serves Sarawak laksa, mee kolok prepared in the classic Chinese style, and banana fritters. Malay and Chinese diners eat together despite the restaurant’s lack of a certificate at the cashier counter. Diner Masrina Abdullah, a 46-year-old Malay woman, said, “We were told it’s halal by the seller. Why would someone lie about that? Furthermore, as a Sarawakian, I know which places serve halal food and which do not.”

“

We were told it’s halal by the seller. Why would someone lie about that? Furthermore, as a Sarawakian, I know which places serve halal food and which do not.