Halal Governance and Its Societal Impact: A Comparative Study of Certification Regimes in Indonesia and Malaysia for Muslim Families

Abstrak

The different state foundations of Indonesia and Malaysia civil society-driven versus state-centric significantly shape their halal certification policies. Indonesia’s decentralized, bottom-up governance model allows religious civil society, particularly the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), to play a strong role in certification. Despite the government’s takeover of certification management, MUI retains doctrinal authority through its halal fatwas. In contrast, Malaysia’s centralized, top-down model has positioned the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM) as the sole regulatory authority overseeing halal certification. This article examines a comparative study of both countries’ halal certification frameworks, analyzing how their institutional structures influence policy implementation. Indonesia’s multi-stakeholder model, involving both governmental and non-governmental actors, has led to a prolonged certification process due to bureaucratic complexities. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s state-led approach ensures a more streamlined and efficient process. These contrasting regulatory models reflect deeper institutional and historical trajectories, shaping not only the efficiency of halal governance but also its broader legitimacy. This study contributes to discussions on the intersection of religion, state authority, and policy-making, offering insights into how governance structures impact regulatory effectiveness in halal certification.