Noriah Ramli

Study on Muslim-Friendly Hospitality in Malaysia

Today, Muslim-friendly hospitality services/halal tourism such as airlines, hotels and food services are the new fast-developing tourism products in the halal tourism industry. Halal tourism is the type of tourism that adheres to the values of Islam. There have been many consumer complaints related to hospitality services. These include misleading advertisement, fraud holiday package, unfair contract terms, non-disclosure of information, low-quality and inefficient services, etc. It is thus very important to examine these issues from consumer perspectives to ensure that halal hospitality services are consumer-friendly services and free from such problems. In doing so, it is necessary to ensure that consumers are adequately protected in both legal and administrative regulations. The study will discuss our current research on Muslim-friendly hospitality in Malaysia, which includes legal and administrative framework, efficacy of management, as well as legal and consumer’s protection.

An Overview of the Current Analytical Methods for Halal Testing

The objective of this paper is to review all the methods that have been developed in the authentication of halal food products, including those developed in our institute. The need for proper control and monitoring of authenticity of food is a serious matter to the authority and the food manufacturers. Strong commitment and continuous support from the government through various agencies would ensure the integrity of the food itself, in terms of both safety and quality. Islamic food laws are based on cleanliness, sanitation, and purity. Hence, the importance of establishing laboratories and using analytical techniques (methods) of authenticity in food for ensuring food safety and protecting consumers from fraud and deception as well as for product recall purposes. Laboratory data may help define the overall scope of work, levels of worker protection, and remediation and disposal methods. Instrumental methods in detection of contamination and/or adulterants in food would clarify any doubt to Muslims, and information can be disseminated for consumer transparency giving better trust and confidence to the authority.

JAKIM: Governors of Halal Affairs

The Trade Description Act 2011 which creates the by-laws of Trade Description (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011 has vested the power to issue halal certification to the government-appointed body mainly JAKIM and MAIN. It is also within this power that JAKIM needs to monitor the preservation of compliance of Halal certification requirements by the certified products or services. In carrying out this duty, JAKIM is vested with a wide power covering the legislative, executive and judiciary role. However by virtue of the provision in the Constitution and the law on the setting up of a government agency, there are several unresolved issues regarding the status and power of JAKIM in executing the existing assigned duty. Thus, it is the objective of this study to identify the scope of authority and jurisdictions vested in JAKIM and to critically analyse the role of JAKIM in the issuance of Halal certificate and their monitoring, controlling and enforcement activities with the aim to suggest appropriate reformation to the current governance practices. This study embarks into a qualitative research methodology which involves the exploratory approach and content analysis of the primary sources. The data collection will also involve a semi-structured in-depth interview with the experts in the area. The findings of this study show that JAKIM was formed through a different system of formation of a government agency. Thus, there is a need to determine JAKIM’s source of power and the scope of regulating and governing halal-related affairs that it has.