Representasi Halal dalam Persekitaran Digital di Malaysia: Cabaran Perundangan, Pembuktian Elektronik dan Penguatkuasaan

Halal Representation in Malaysia’s Digital Environment: Legal Challenges, Electronic Evidence and Enforcement

Abstract

Perkembangan perdagangan digital telah memperluas cara maklumat halal disampaikan melalui media sosial, e-dagang dan siaran langsung. Perubahan ini menimbulkan persoalan tentang penilaian representasi halal serta pengumpulan dan pengemukaan bukti elektronik. Kajian ini menganalisis cabaran perundangan dan pembuktian elektronik dalam penguatkuasaan representasi halal di Malaysia melalui pendekatan kualitatif. Data diperoleh daripada dua temu bual separa berstruktur dengan seorang informan penguatkuasaan halal dan seorang informan pendakwaan Syariah, serta satu perbincangan meja bulat (RTD). Identiti peserta dirahsiakan menggunakan kod. Analisis tematik mengenal pasti cabaran pengumpulan dan pengesahan bukti digital, pengenalpastian pihak yang bertanggungjawab, penilaian representasi halal, keperluan keterangan teknikal dan penyelarasan prosedur. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa tangkapan skrin atau rakaman digital perlu dinilai bersama maklumat yang mengesahkan sumber, konteks dan kaitannya dengan pihak yang disiasat. Ungkapan seperti ‘Muslim Friendly’, ‘No Pork’ dan ‘No Lard’ tidak boleh dinilai secara terasing tanpa meneliti konteks serta gambaran keseluruhan kepada pengguna. Kajian mencadangkan prosedur pengendalian bukti elektronik, latihan rentas bidang dan penyelarasan antara agensi. Oleh sebab bilangan temu bual terhad, dapatan ini memberikan pemahaman kualitatif dan bukan gambaran statistik atau representasi semua agensi di Malaysia. Perhatian turut diberikan kepada batasan kajian dan implikasi praktikalnya.

Digital commerce has expanded the ways halal status is represented through social media, e-commerce and livestream sales, creating challenges for enforcement and the handling of electronic evidence. This study examines legal and evidential challenges in enforcing halal representations in Malaysia using a qualitative approach. Data were collected through two semi-structured interviews, one with a halal enforcement informant and one with a Syariah prosecution informant, and a round-table discussion (RTD). Participants were anonymised using codes. Thematic analysis identified challenges in collecting and verifying digital content, linking online representations to responsible persons, interpreting halal-related claims, presenting technical evidence and coordinating procedures. The findings indicate that screenshots and digital recordings should be assessed alongside supporting information that helps establish their source, context and connection to the person under investigation. Terms such as ‘Muslim Friendly’, ‘No Pork’ and ‘No Lard’ should not automatically be treated as offences; their meaning and legal implications depend on context and the applicable statutory elements. The study recommends clearer procedures for handling electronic evidence, cross-disciplinary training and better coordination between enforcement and prosecution. Given the limited number of interviews, the findings offer qualitative insight into the challenges raised by participants and cannot be generalised statistically to all enforcement agencies in Malaysia.