PETALING JAYA — The Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) has officially announced the appointment of Hanisofian Alias as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 October 2026. The announcement marks a significant leadership transition for the organization as it continues to steer Malaysia’s comprehensive halal sector toward greater heights on both regional and international stages.
Hanisofian is no stranger to the organization or the broader halal landscape, having served as the Interim CEO of HDC since earlier this year. Prior to stepping into the interim leadership role, he held the position of Chief Industry Development Officer within the corporation. In that capacity, he bore direct responsibility for overseeing a wide array of critical portfolios, including industry governance, industry and market development, sector competitiveness, knowledge management, and international cooperation. His extensive hands-on involvement in shaping these pillars has given him a profound understanding of the administrative, economic, and strategic intricacies that drive the modern halal economy.
A dedicated veteran within the institution, Hanisofian has been a member of the HDC team since 2008. Over nearly two decades of service, he has accumulated deep, specialized expertise in halal industry development alongside robust private-sector management acumen. Throughout his tenure, he has played a pivotal, hands-on role in building and solidifying Malaysia’s comprehensive halal ecosystem. His efforts have consistently advanced the organization’s overarching strategic objectives, particularly in fostering industry-wide growth and strengthening international cooperation initiatives with global trading partners.
Before dedicating his career to public-sector-aligned development through HDC, Hanisofian spent 13 formative years working within a major multinational company. This extensive corporate background allowed him to gain invaluable, practical experience across multiple operational domains, including new product development, complex manufacturing operations, supplier quality management, and innovative project management. During his time in the private sector, he spearheaded various enterprise initiatives specifically designed to improve operational quality, enhance workplace and manufacturing productivity, and drive cost efficiency—skills that have seamlessly translated into his leadership roles within the national halal development framework.
His academic credentials further reflect a strong technical and strategic foundation. Hanisofian holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), equipping him with advanced corporate leadership and strategic management capabilities. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronics from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, blending rigorous analytical problem-solving skills with high-level executive vision.
During his recent tenure as Interim CEO, Hanisofian actively led HDC’s high-level engagements with a broad spectrum of both domestic and international stakeholders. His strategic focus during this period centered heavily on vital economic drivers such as halal trade facilitation, the creation of strategic investment linkages, expanding market access for local enterprises, and strengthening Malaysia’s overall connectivity with fast-growing regional halal markets. By maintaining open lines of communication with industry players, government agencies, and foreign partners, he ensured that the organization remained agile and responsive to the evolving demands of the global halal marketplace.
His permanent appointment to the highest executive office ensures crucial continuity in HDC’s ongoing institutional efforts to reinforce Malaysia’s position as a global halal leader. Under his guidance, the corporation will continue supporting the seamless implementation of the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030. This visionary master plan places special emphasis on enhancing the overall competitiveness of the industry, with a targeted focus on empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), opening up lucrative market access channels, securing sustainable investments, and deepening international cooperation across borders.
Operating under the purview of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), HDC remains steadfastly committed to its core institutional mandate. The corporation continues to spearhead the development of an integrated, highly competitive halal ecosystem, empowering Malaysian halal industry players with the necessary tools, resources, and strategic guidance as they successfully expand their footprints into both domestic and international markets.