ISSN: 2226-3624
Open access
This article addresses the growing challenges of fraud, non-compliance and integrity issues threatening Malaysia’s halal certification system. Motivated by the need to uphold certification credibility, this study aims to investigate the role of halal knowledge in strengthening the performance of halal controllers. A qualitative research design was adopted, involving in-depth interviews with key representatives of the authorities across three stakeholder groups. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software to identify emerging themes and sub-factors. The study identified six sub-factors under the main theme of halal knowledge: (1) education and training, (2) religious values and ethical principles, (3) adequate and competent personnel, (4) auditing and inspection skills, (5) regulatory knowledge, and (6) standardized knowledge management. These sub-factors emphasize the need for an integrated approach that includes standardising training, enhancing interagency collaboration and building manpower capacity to ensure controllers adhere to Shariah compliance. The study contributes a practical and theoretical framework to improve halal governance by integrating both technical competencies and spiritual values. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive approach to identifying essential knowledge components for halal controllers, offering practical guidance to enhance Malaysia's standing as a global halal hub and guarantee the sustainability of the halal industry.
Ab Latiff, J., Zakaria, Z., & Man, S. (2024). The Islamic principles of legal status criteria according to the Qur?an and hadith in fostering ?al?l vaccine certification in Malaysia. Al-Bayan: Journal of Qur’an and Hadith Studies, 22, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1163/22321969-20240143
Ab Rahman, M. N. & Muhamed, A. A. (2021, Jan 8). Ambil iktibar kes kartel daging import, perkasa sektor halal. Berita Harian. https://www.bharian.com.my/rencana/lain-lain/2021/01/773775/ambil-iktibar-kes-kartel-daging-import-perkasa-sektor-halal.
Ab Rashid, N. & Bojei, J. (2019). The relationship between halal traceability system adoption and environmental factors on halal food supply chain integrity in Malaysia. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 11(1), 117-142. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-01-2018-0016
Ahmad, N., Ungku Zainal Abidin, U. F., Othman, M., & Abdul Rahman, R. (2018). Overview of the halal food control system in Malaysia. Food Control, 90, 352-363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.02.035
Aisyah, M., Suzanawaty, L., & Said, M. (2019). The demand for halal certified restaurants in Indonesia. International Journal of Supply Chain Management, 8(5), 86-98.
Alrobaish, W. S., Vlerick, P., Luning, P. A., & Jacxsens, L. (2021). Food safety governance in Saudi Arabia: Challenges in control of imported food. Journal of Food Science, 86(1), 16-30.
Al-Shami, H. A., & Abdullah, S. (2023). Halal food industry certification and operation challenges and manufacturing execution system opportunities. A review study from Malaysia. Materials Today: Proceedings, 80, 3607-3614.
Astro Awani, (2021, Jan 11). Kartel daging: Jakim perhalusi cadangan ketat SOP pengimportan – Menteri Agama. https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/kartel-daging-jakim-perhalusi cadangan-ketat-sop-pengimportan-menteri-agama-277113.
Basarud-din, S. K., Saad, R. A. J., & Aminullah, A. A. (2022). Malaysian halal certification: a study of compliance behavior of Muslim entrepreneurs. Global Journal Al-Thaqafah, 12(2), 46-65. https://doi.org/10.7187/gjat122022-4
Berita Harian (2021, Feb 1). Kelompangan prosedur operasi dimanipulasi. https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2021/02/781809/kelompangan-prosedur operasi-dimanipulasi.
Bidin, R., Razak, M. N. F., Mohamad, B., Osman, M. N., Bakar, M. S. A., Tham, J. S., … Utaberta, N. (2021). Halal industry’s organizational performance factors: A systematic literature review. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 29(4), 2545–2568. https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.4.25
Daud, M. Z., Zarmani, N. F., & Tumiran, M. A. (2021). Analysis of halal assurance management on imported food products in Malaysia. International Journal of Halal Ecosystem and Management Practices, 1(1), 08–19. https://doi.org/10.35631//ijhemp.11002
Eldaw, A., & Ahmed Osman, O. (2023). Dilemma and Concepts of Halal-Safe Food. In Halal and Kosher Food: Integration of Quality and Safety for Global Market Trends (pp. 17-28). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. Boston: Pitman.
Hanafi, S., & Nurdin, M. S. (2022). Halal certification in used goods products in the perspective of Islamic law. Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi Dan Penelitian Hukum Islam, 5(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.30659/jua.v5i1.16051
Hassan, M. H., Arif, S., & Sidek, S. (2015). Knowledge and practice for implementing internal halal assurance system among halal executives. Asian Social Science, 11(17), 57.
Hassan, Z., Rahman, M., & Ismail, S. (2020). Training and performance: The case of halal controllers in Malaysia. Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 9(1), 45-62.
Idris, P. S. R. P. H., Musa, S. F. P. D., & Sumardi, W. H. H. (2022). Halal-Tayyiban and sustainable development goals: A SWOT analysis. International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management (IJABIM), 13(2), 1-16.
Islam, M. M. (2023). Contemporary discourse of halal and Islamic entrepreneurship. Contemporary Discourse of Halal and Islamic Entrepreneurship, (November 2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6427-7
Mohamed Arshad, F. (2020, Dec 26). Ulasan: Kartel daging: Mengapa dibiarkan? Malaysia Kini. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/556581, 26 Dec. 2020.
Mohamed, Y. H., Abdul Rahim, A. R., & Ma’aram, A. (2020). The effect of halal supply chain management on halal integrity assurance for the food industry in Malaysia. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 12(9), 1734–1750. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-12-2018-0240
Mubarok, F. K., & Imam, M. K. (2020). Halal industry in Indonesia; Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Digital Marketing and Halal Industry, 2(1), 55-64.
Muhammad Shahrulnizam, M. (2020). Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan - Bayan Linnas Series 232_ The Issue of Meat Cartel Which Is Haram and Rulings Related to it. 1–7. https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/bayan-linnas/4642-bayan-linnas-series-232-the-issue-of-meat-cartel-which-is-haram-and-rulings-related-to-it.
Muhammad, M. A., Elistina, A. B., & Ahmad, S. (2020). The challenges faced by halal certification authorities in managing the halal certification process in Malaysia. Food Research, 4, 170–178. https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.4(S1).S17
Napitupulu, R. M., Sukmana, R., Rusydiana, A. S., Cahyani, U. E., & Wibawa, B. M. (2024). The nexus between halal industry and Islamic green finance: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 15(10), 2508-2527.
Nuraini, S., & Sucipto. (2021). Comparison halal food regulation and practices to support halal tourism in Asia: A review. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 733(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/733/1/012044
Othman, B., Md. Shaarani, S., Bahron, A., & Md Nawi, N. H. (2019). The effect of halal certification approach on performance among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Jurnal Hadhari, 11(1), 119–138. http://ejournals.ukm.my/jhadhari/article/view/32808
Potter, K. (2024). Regulatory Compliance?: Stay updated on and comply with regulatory requirements for AI applications in healthcare . (February).
Pratama, H. (2022). Stakeholders synergy in accelering MSME (UMKM) halal certification through halal self-declare. Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa Raushan Fikr, 11, 271–287. https://doi.org/10.24090/jimrf.v11i2.6054
Prawiro, A., & Fathudin. (2023). Challenges in the halal industry ecosystem: Analyzing the Halal certification process for micro, small, and medium enterprises in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. Mazahib Jurnal Pemikiran Hukum Islam, 22(2), 431–484. https://doi.org/10.21093/mj.v22i2.7010
Rahim, S. A., Ahmi, A., & Rahman, N. A. A. (2020). Challenges in sustainable supply chain management of live animal trading: A case study of live animal industry in Malaysia. International Journal of Supply Chain Management, 9(1), 447–454.
Rahmah, M., & Barizah, N. (2020). Halal certification of patented medicines in Indonesia in the digital age"A panacea pain? International Journal systematic Reviews in Pharmacy, 11(12), 210-217.
Rahman, R. A., Zahari, M. S. M., Hanafiah, M. H., & Mamat, M. N. (2022). The influence of knowledge on wholesomeness, labelling and trust toward Muslim consumers purchase behaviour of Syubhah semi-processed food products. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 13(10), 2009–2027. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-05-2020-0133
Razif, A., & Yoyo, Y. (2021). The awareness of Muslim consumers towards the halal logo in Malaysia. Akademika, 91, 27–37. https://doi.org/10.17576/akad-2021-91IK-03
Romadlon, D., Istikomah, I., & Haryanto, B. (2023). Progressive Islamic teaching and learning: integrating knowledge and practice for societal advancement. Indonesian Journal of Cultural and Community Development, 14. https://doi.org/10.21070/ijccd2023962
Ruslin, R., Mashuri, S., Rasak, M. S. A., Alhabsyi, F., & Syam, H. (2022). Semi-structured interview: A methodological reflection on the development of a qualitative research instrument in educational studies. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME), 12(1), 22-29. https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-1201052229
Rusni, W., Ismail, W., Ramli, R. A., Zain, Z. M., Abdullah, H., Zulkifli, A. H., & Azahar, H. (2020). Halal Issues in pastry and bakery products: the halal gatekeepers of bakery ingredients. ESTEEM Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(February), 160–170.
Rusydiana, A. S., Irfany, M. I., As-Salafiyah, A., & Tieman, M. (2023). Halal supply chain: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 14(12), 3009-3032.
Shalini, A., Neeliah, H.& Goburdhun, D. (2008). Using a stakeholder analysis to assess the Mauritian food control system. RECIIS, 2(2), 17-29. https://doi.org/10.3395/reciis.v2i2.141en
Supian, K., & Abdullah, M. (2019, May). Halal supply chain commitment for enhancing halal food integrity in Malaysia. In Contemporary Management and Science Issues in the Halal Industry: Proceedings of the International Malaysia Halal Conference (IMHALAL) (pp. 373-383). Singapore: Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2677-6_31
Tahir, M. I. (2023, July 28). JAIS sahkan premis jual ayam tebuk tiada sijil halal. Sinar Harian. https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/270671/berita/semasa/jais-sahkan-premis-jual-ayam-tebuk-tiada-sijil-halal.
Umami, Z., Puspa, A. R., & Irawan, M. A. (2023). The effect of education on knowledge and attitude In halal and tayyib food selection among Muslim. Jurnal Gizi Dan Dietetik Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics), 11(2), 55. https://doi.org/10.21927/ijnd.2023.11(2).55-61
Widyanto, H. A., & Sitohang, I. A. T. (2022). Muslim millennial’s purchase intention of halal-certified cosmetics and pharmaceutical products: the mediating effect of attitude. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 13(6), 1373-1394.
Arif, S., Fazila, N. S., & Mat, Z. (2025). The Significance of Halal Knowledge: Unveiling its Influence on Halal Controller Performance. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 14(2), 141–161.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode