The Needs of halal transportation control in Malaysia: a multiple case study approach

Abstract

Halal is a compulsory element in choosing consumable product for a Muslim. It Is a duty for a Muslim to only use or consumed goods that is halal according to Syariah Law. With the remarkable market segment and with majority of food and other product producer are non-muslims, the assurance in maintaining the halal integrity becomes more important and ever. Transportation as one of main component of halal supply chain plays a key role in facilitating the manufacturing, logistics and trade of halal products throughout the world. However, lack of study on halal transportation has hampered the progress of research in this area. This study was done to investigate whether the integrity of halal products can be maintained during it is being transported and try to explore the need of halal control in transportation activities. In order to have a deeper understanding of the problems, an literature review were done on various important concepts such as, halal concept, the muslim consumer’s duty and concern on halal product, halal industry in Malaysia, the concept of halal logistics and halal transportation and how it is being applied. In order to provide the evidence to support the study, profound details and explanations from the different stakeholders need to be gathered which can only be obtained through interview sessions. Therefore, a qualitative study and multiple case study approach have been employed. Interview session has been done with halal authorities such as JAKIM, IHIA and HDC as well as the Malaysian Islamic consumer association (PPIM) representative. Collected data has been transcript, coded and interpreted into results and findings. The results from study show that there is a clear need for halal control in handling halal food or product particularly during transportation process. Two standards initiatives on halal product handling which also catered transportation have been uncovered during data collection. These initiatives were done by YES and IHIA. To date, these initiatives are the only program in the world so far that provides a clear and concise guideline on how halal product should be managed from the perspective of logistics operations. This proves that not only there is a need for halal control during transportation but there already standards are being drafted to be used as a guideline to implement the halal control in transportation.