HALAL certification laws will get more bite under proposed changes to the law governing Muslim affairs here.

Officers of companies that misuse certificates or logos to say their food is halal - permissible under Muslim law - could soon face a jail term of up to 12 months or a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Currently, only the companies can be fined up to $10,000.

Another key change tabled on Monday is on raising the minimum marriage age for Muslims from 16 to 18. The move aims to tackle the community's high divorce rates by sending a signal that minor marriages, which tend to be less stable, are not desirable.

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