GOVERNANCE ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVES FOR CHICKEN SLAUGHTERHOUSES: A LEGAL AND IMPLEMENTATION ANALYSIS IN SELANGOR, PAHANG AND KELANTAN

Muhamad Mazuan bin Razaly; Zalina binti Zakaria; Syarifah Hayaati binti Syed Ismail

Muhamad Mazuan bin Razaly Department of Shariah and Law, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Zalina binti Zakaria Associate Professor, Department of Shariah and Law, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Syarifah Hayaati binti Syed Ismail Professor, Department of Siasah Syar’iyyah, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Malaysia

Keywords: Halal Initiatives, Governance, Slaughterhouses, Legislation

Abstract

BACKGROUND : The halal certification in the country today is still voluntary and any company has the option to obtain it or not. This situation complicates the regulation process as chicken production is carried out by both suppliers with halal certification and those without. Regular monitoring and control of chicken production are highly necessary since slaughtering is a critical process and is easily exposed to non-compliance with halal standards. Being aware of this situation, states like Selangor, Pahang and Kelantan have taken the initiative to make improvements through amendments to the law to ensure that the chicken production can be regulated, monitored and the products produced meet halal and toyyiban (good and wholesome) standards. METHOD : In obtaining the data for this study, the researcher focused on two instruments, i.e. document analysis and interviews. Several legal documents were referred to in conducting this research. Interviews were conducted with several key informants, including officers involved in the states of Selangor, Pahang and Kelantan. The interviews were semi- structured to gather more comprehensive data and information. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Selangor, Pahang and Kelantan are three states seen as being at the forefront of improving governance implementation, particularly in relation to halal and slaughtering practices. Selangor and Pahang, in particular, have specific legislation under the state's Syariah Criminal Offenses Enactment but it is considered unsuitable and cannot be fully implemented especially concerning non-Muslim operators. To address the issues faced, Selangor has amended the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003 to empower the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to monitor the slaughter certificate (tauliah). Pahang, on the other hand, has introduced the Poultry Slaughtering Plant (Control and Licensing) (Pahang) Rules 2017, which gives the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) the authority to require slaughterhouse operators to obtain a license from them. Meanwhile, Kelantan is working on amending the Licensing of Trades, Businesses, and Industries By-laws 2007 which would enable local authorities to mandate food operators including slaughterhouses to obtain halal certification. CONCLUSION : In the absence of a specific Halal Act and with halal certification still being voluntary, the approach taken by the three states mentioned demonstrates that there are other avenues that can be explored to regulate halal chicken production. The three approaches adopted by Selangor, Pahang and Kelantan, through different agencies, offer alternative solutions that can be implemented, and they are commendable initiatives despite the challenges and issues faced in each implementation. The approaches taken by these three states in improving the legal aspects could serve as a model for other states to improve governance implementation, particularly in relation to slaughterhouses.