Empowering Hospitality Excellence Through Halal Compliance
🏨 Introduction
As Halal compliance becomes a vital aspect of service excellence in the hospitality industry, Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur, a five-star hotel located in the heart of Malaysia’s capital, is leading by example.
In collaboration with UNITI Halal Centre (UHAC), the hotel organized a one-day Internal Halal Audit Workshop on 20 June 2025, targeting internal personnel from various departments involved in food preparation, safety, engineering, and management.
This intensive competency training session brought together 24 committed professionals, including chefs, engineers, executives, and the Internal Halal Committee, all working toward the same goal: enhancing their understanding and application of Halal standards in day-to-day operations.
🎯 Workshop Overview
📝 Program/Training Name: Internal Halal Audit
🏢 Certificate Accreditation: Training Provider (PLH)
⏰ Duration: 1-Day (Face-to-Face)
📚 Level of Training: Competency-Based Training
🎓 Mode of Delivery: Non-E-Learning (On-Site Face-to-Face Workshop)
The workshop was designed to align with the Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual (MPPHM) 2020, focusing on empowering internal team members to conduct Halal audits, manage non-conformities, and uphold Shariah-compliant practices within the hospitality domain.
📖 Course Synopsis
This course provides foundational and technical knowledge to industries involved with Halal compliance. It aims to help organizations:
- Meet Halal standards established by authorities such as JAKIM, JAIN, and MAIN
- Prepare for Halal certification and surveillance audits
- Understand Shariah principles related to lawful (Halal) and unlawful (Haram) elements
- Implement Halal audit processes and technical documentation effectively
By focusing on Malaysia’s Halal certification framework, the workshop offers comprehensive training for companies seeking to strengthen internal Halal governance systems.
🎓 Learning Outcomes
Participants who completed the workshop were expected to:
- ✅ Conduct Internal Halal Audits and manage non-conformity reports
- ✅ Plan and manage the Halal audit programme (from preparation to report writing)
- ✅ Understand the basic principles of Halal and Haram
- ✅ Recognize the roles of principal auditors from JAKIM, JAIN, or MAIN
🧑🏫 Course Content & Modules
The course outline was tailored to equip participants with practical tools and templates to be used during real Halal audits. The training modules included:
- Introduction to Internal Halal Audit
- Roles of Principal Auditors (JAKIM/JAIN/MAIN)
- Types of Halal Audits
- Halal Audit Checklist Preparation
- Handling Non-Conformities
- Mock Audits
- Audit Reporting and Documentation
This hands-on structure helped the participants translate theory into action, reinforcing knowledge through simulation and guided discussions.
🧑💼 Participant Profile: The Le Méridien Team
The Internal Halal Audit Workshop at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur was attended by a diverse group of 24 participants, carefully selected from various departments across the hotel.
This multidisciplinary approach ensured that Halal compliance is understood and practiced across all operational areas—not limited to the kitchen, but extending to engineering, procurement, front office, stewarding, and food & beverage management.
👨🍳 Kitchen & Culinary Division
A large portion of the participants came from the hotel’s culinary team, including Sous Chefs, Executive Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs, and Pastry Specialists.
These professionals are directly responsible for food preparation and handling—making their Halal literacy crucial in maintaining the integrity of certified kitchens such as Latest Recipe, Pastry Kitchen, and Butchery Kitchen.
🧑🔧 Engineering & Stewarding
The engineering department was represented by Chief Engineers and Assistant Engineers, ensuring that facility management, kitchen infrastructure, and hygiene systems align with Halal requirements.
Additionally, representatives from the stewarding team, who oversee cleanliness and utensil segregation, were also trained to support Halal practices behind the scenes.
🛎️ Front Office & Admin Executives
To foster a Halal-conscious guest experience, key personnel from front office operations and administration also participated.
Their involvement supports consistent communication, proper guest handling, and documentation control related to Halal compliance.
🛒 Procurement & Receiving
Staff from the purchasing and receiving departments were included to reinforce the importance of verifying Halal certifications for ingredients and raw materials, a critical aspect of internal audit procedures.
🍽️ F&B Management & Audit Committee
The hotel’s Halal Executive, Assistant F&B Managers, and Banquet Operations Managers formed part of the training, demonstrating the hotel’s top-down commitment to internal Halal auditing.
Their roles are pivotal in planning and overseeing Halal foodservice—especially for events, weddings, and buffet operations.
This holistic participation reflects Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur’s organizational readiness in embracing Halal values and ensuring that every department plays its part in upholding religious and regulatory compliance.
🏅 Certification & Recognition
Upon successful completion of the program, all participants received a Certificate of Competency accredited under the Training Provider (PLH) system. This certification is recognized by various stakeholders in the Malaysian Halal ecosystem, including:
- ✅ Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM)
- ✅ State Religious Departments (JAIN/MAIN)
- ✅ Halal auditors and compliance officers
By acquiring this certification, the internal team at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur is now better equipped to maintain consistent Halal practices, minimizing the risk of non-compliance and enhancing guest trust.
