GARIS PANDUAN SERTU MENURUT PERSPEKTIF ISLAM – JAKIM: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Abstract

The halal industry in Malaysia is rapidly expanding in line with the National Halal Policy 2025–2035, aiming to establish a holistic and conducive halal ecosystem globally. One of the key requirements for halal certification is the implementation of the sertu process in cases of contamination involving severe impurities (najs mughallazah) from dogs, pigs, and their derivatives. To standardize this practice, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) published the Garis Panduan Sertu menurut Perspektif Islam. More than a decade since its implementation, however, several concerns have been raised by stakeholders regarding its clarity and practicality in meeting industry needs. This study critically reviews the Garis Panduan Sertu menurut Perspektif Islam to identify key implementation issues, categorize them into related themes, and propose recommendations for improvement. Adopting a qualitative approach, the research is based on content analysis of the guideline and insights gathered through round table discussions with stakeholders and industry representatives, focusing on both fiqh and technical aspects. The data collection by content analysis is systematically reviewed, and textual data is coded by breaking it into meaningful units, which are then categorized based on predefined or emergent themes to identify patterns relevant to the research question. The round table discussions collect qualitative data by engaging stakeholders in structured dialogue, which is recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to capture diverse perspectives and in-depth insights. Both methods rely on careful transcription, coding, and thematic analysis to produce organized, meaningful qualitative findings. The findings reveal 11 core issues and recommend five amendments: establishing mandatory conditions for sertu, refining material specifications, standardizing soil preparation methods, enhancing the sertu procedure, and incorporating post-sertu cleaning protocols. These amendments and recommendations contribute to strengthening guideline implementation and boosting compliance within the halal industry, thereby supporting integrity and consistency in halal certification processes in Malaysia.