Jakarta, Sept. 17 -- Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has called for faster establishment of an ASEAN Halal Council and closer bilateral cooperation with Malaysia after meeting Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Head Ahmad Haikal Hasan said both countries were pushing for the regional council and planned to establish an Indonesia-Malaysia Halal Council by year-end.

"The vice president strongly supports accelerating the ASEAN Halal Council's establishment. Once realized, the council will elevate our halal standards to the next level," Hasan said here Thursday.

He said the regional body could eventually pave the way for a World Halal Council, supporting P...