Role of the Local Authority in Issuing License for Halal Certified Premise in the City of Shah Alam

Being part of Asian, which locate majority population of Muslims Community, propelling halal food industry to the forefront and secure international recognition is an important agenda for Malaysia. At present, there is a strong halal production base in place with good industrial and commercial infrastructure, as well as strong inter and intra-linkages between multinational corporations. Halal is not the certification that the end product that is be free from illegitimate substances, it covers the whole process from the raw material, the location of manufacturing, the utilities used, the packaging process and the transportation journey. Many local restaurants and food manufacturing premise in Selangor has managed to get Halal logo. Yet we are bombarded with the sensational issue of the validity of this logo. Most of the complaints are made based on the assurance given by the logo to the restaurant and premise and the conduct within the said restaurant or food manufacturing premise which contravene the assurance. This paper will critically look into the role of the local authority in ensuring the compliance of halal certified status while issuing permit to the restaurant and food manufacturing premise in Shah Alam. The aim of the study is to suggest an appropriate reformation to the current practice of the local authority's power in issuing license for food establishment.