Assessing the Awareness of Halal Practices Among Muslim Students at UiTM Campus Samarahan, Kuching Sarawak.

Abstract

In 2020, Malaysia was shaken by the exposure of a fake halal meat cartel that had operated for over four decades, smuggling non-halal meat and fraudulently labeling it as halal certified. Shockingly, several customs officers who are responsible for enforcing import regulations, were reportedly bribed to allow the entry of uncertified meat into Johor, where it was repackaged and distributed nationwide. This incident raised serious concerns among Malaysian consumers about the integrity of the halal products. This study aims to examine the extent of awareness and understanding among Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) students regarding the importance of halal. A quantitative research design was adopted to collect data in an objective and systematic manner using structured questionnaires, specifically distributed online via Google Forms to ensure broad participation and efficient data collection. The findings of this study are expected to highlight existing gaps in awareness among educated youth, who play a critical role as future consumers and industry contributors. These insights may assist regulatory bodies, educational institutions, and halal authorities in developing targeted initiatives to improve public understanding, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and uphold the integrity of halal practices.