Evaluating Syariah and Technical Knowledge Among Halal Supervisors in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

In Brunei Darussalam, halal supervisors are crucial for upholding the integrity of halal-certified in the food establishments. Their role necessitates a comprehensive understanding of Syariah principles and technical knowledge. Although many supervisors have strong religious foundations, concerns have been raised regarding their technical proficiency in executing halal procedures, encompassing discrepancies in ingredient lists, monitoring, and adherence to established halal standards. This study seeks to assess the proficiency in Syariah and technical knowledge of halal supervisors in Brunei, concentrating on their readiness to guarantee the effectiveness of halal compliance. This study focused on halal-certified restaurants in Brunei Darussalam. Quantitative approach was used for data collection through structured questionnaires and a total of 236 respondents participated in the study. The study employed an Item-level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) and ranged between 0.79 and 0.93, indicating strong agreement among the experts regarding item relevance. Descriptive analysis uses Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for which involved frequency and mean value. The results have shown that the level of knowledge of halalan tayyiban is high in syariah with a mean score of 4.727 and technical aspects with 4.662.  The findings revealed that supervisors possess strong Syariah and technical knowledge specifically regarding the comprehension of halal and implementation of halal standards established by Brunei regulatory bodies. Thus, by enhancing both dimensions are essential for maintaining the credibility and operational reliability of Brunei’s halal certification system.