The Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) stringent requirements for halal certification are a burden to bumiputera business owners, Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob says.

He said the procedures for the certification should be less stringent for Malay-owned firms with 100 percent Muslims workers, since the firms would already be practising halal methods.

"Malay/bumiputera firms usually have limited capital, so it is at times difficult for them to fulfil the requirements, like adding on machines.

"As they have to spend more to fulfil the procedures (set by Jakim), they choose not to seek halal certification," Ismail said.