Kuala Lumpur, Sept. 26 -- The establishment of the Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Council marks a step toward creating an ASEAN and eventually a global halal council, Head of Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) Ahmad Haikal Hasan said.

"The establishment of the Malaysia-Indonesia Halal Council, which paves the way for an ASEAN Halal Council, also creates new opportunities in the global market," Hasan told ANTARA when contacted from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the establishment of the joint halal council on Friday, saying it aims to strengthen halal diplomacy between Malaysia and Indonesia.

The council will be chaired by BPJPH, with Malaysia serving as its se...