THE RISE OF THE HALAL MARKET

This high-quality assurance renders the halal products and services attractive , not only to Muslims but also to non-Muslim consumers . This has contributed to tremendous growth of the halal industry , making the halal market one of the most prominent and profitable markets .

THE PROBLEM WITH RAPID GROWTH ? YOU ATTRACT FRAUD

As the demand for HALALan TOYYIBan products increases , so do fraud risks from those attempting to take advantage of the lucrative market . Fraudulent practices such as false halal labelling , contamination , and adulteration are becoming more prevalent in the halal food industry as irresponsible manufacturers seek to maximise profits .

This does not only negatively impact Muslim consumers ’ confidence ; it can also undermine the integrity of HALALan TOYY- IBan products and , for some , potentially damage the Halal Malaysia brand reputation . Fraudulent practices in halal food production

BY NUR RASYIDAH ABD RASHID

AND

ANIS NAJIHA AHMAD

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HALAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING ( INHART )

also threaten public health , resulting in illness and death .

Food fraud can be challenging to detect , especially if it is well-concealed or involves complex schemes . In addition , certification and auditing processes are not always comprehensive and may not cover every aspect of an organisation ’ s operations .

To address this issue , a multifaceted and comprehensive approach should be adopted . Whistleblowing is one of the identified preventive approaches that could effectively stop fraud , wrongdoing and even unsafe practices in the halal food industry .

WHISTLEBLOWER - HERO , INFORMANT , SNITCH OR BETRAYER ?

So , what is whistleblowing ? The term refers to reporting misconduct in an organisation , which can be internal or external . Internal whistleblowing occurs when a misconduct report is made to the organisation ’ s coworkers or supervisors .

Internal whistleblowing enables an organisation to address any wrongdoing before it is exposed to the public , safeguarding its reputation and minimising potential legal expenses . External whistleblowing , on the other hand , occurs when the report is made to an external body outside the organisation , such as the news media or enforcement authority [ 1 ].

A whistleblower is someone who exposes confidential information or activities that

are deemed illegal , unethical , or not correct within an organisation . In many scenarios , whistleblowers are negatively perceived where they may be viewed as informants , snitches , or even traitors as their disclosures are seen as damaging to the organisation or specific individuals within the organisation .

Despite the negative perceptions associated with whistleblowing , in Islam , it is a noble act and is encouraged when done correctly . The concept of “ Amal maaruf nahi munkar ” meaning “ promote good and prevent evil ,” is a fundamental principle of Islamic ethics that emphasises the importance of exposing wrongdoing and promoting transparency and accountability .

This principle is in line with the following hadith :

“ Whoever amongst you sees an evil , he must change it with his hand . If he is not able to do so , then with his tongue . And if he is not able to do so , then with his heart , and that is the weakest form of faith ” ( Muslim , 49 )

Thus , when it comes to whistleblowing , Islam takes an attitude of commendation and appreciation for those who partake in it when it is done with adaab and following the correct procedures .

WHISTLEBLOWING HELPS UNCOVER AND PREVENT FRAUD

Whistleblowing may be more prevalent in corporate settings . But there have been numerous cases where individuals have taken significant risks to expose fraud and