i

Android Mobile Application “QRC-Halal App”

By

KAMARIAH BINTI ABU SAED

17954

Dissertation Submitted in partial fulfillment of

The requirement for the

Bachelor of Technology (Hons.)

Information and Communication Technology

May 2015

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

Bandar Seri Iskandar

31750 Tronoh

Perak

ii

CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL

Android Mobile Application “QRC-Halal App”

By

Kamariah binti Abu Saed

17954

A project dissertation submitted to

Information and Communication Technology Programme

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY (HONS.)

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Approved by,

_____________

Faizal Ahmad Fadzil

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS

TRONOH, PERAK

May 2015

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CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY

This is to certify that I am responsible for the work submitted in this project, that the

original work is my own except as specified in the reference and acknowledgement, and

that the original work contained herein have not been undertaken or done by unspecified

sources or persons.

_______________

KAMARIAH BINTI ABU SAED

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ABSTRACT

Halal is very important in a Muslim life as it is one of obligation that Muslims

must follow and observe. In order to follow the obligation, Muslims must know what is

halal and what is not. Halal is not just for food, it includes every aspect of Muslim life

such as source of income, attire, how food is processed, how the animal slaughtering

process follows Islamic rules, and many more.

Even though JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia) and other related legal

entities have done so many to overcome halal issues such as fake logo on foods, and

expired halal certificate but the problems are not yet fully eliminated. Since there are

huge numbers of food industries and related organizations hence it is logical for JAKIM

that they would not be able to update and disseminate to all Muslim customers which

Halal logo is genuine and not expired. Information references and resources of halal

certificate must be available online and updated regularly so customers can check the

halal status so they can safely consume the foods that they have chosen. Henceforth,

QRC-Halal is proposed.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Allah SWT because

of HE, I manage to finish my final year project 1 in success. It is one of my toughest

semester but with HIS guidance and help, I manage to go through of it. I would like to

give my special thanks to my supervisor, Mr Faizal Ahmad Fadzil for help and guide me

on how to do this FYP II. He also taught me how to do research paper and guide me for

every step in starting this project. I also would like to give my appreciation to all my

friends who are directly and indirectly supporting me throughout this FYP II phase.

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CONTENTS

CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL .......................................................................................... ii

CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY .................................................................................... iii

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................ v

CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background of Study ................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Problem Statement ....................................................................................................... 2

1.3 Objectives and Scope of Study .................................................................................... 3

1.3.1 Objectives .............................................................................................................. 3

1.3.2 Scope of study ....................................................................................................... 3

CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................. 5

2.1 Scope of halal ................................................................................................................ 5

2.2 Awareness ..................................................................................................................... 6

2.3 Misuse of halal logo ...................................................................................................... 8

2.4 Current issue ................................................................................................................ 9

2.5 Current work .............................................................................................................. 10

2.5.1 JAKIM ................................................................................................................ 10

2.5.2 Companies .......................................................................................................... 11

2.5.3 Existing halal apps ............................................................................................. 11

2.6 Suggested development .............................................................................................. 14

CHAPTER 3 ............................................................................................................................... 15

3.1 Development Methodology ........................................................................................ 15

3.2 Tools for development ............................................................................................... 18

3.3 System Architecture ................................................................................................... 19

3.4 Use case ....................................................................................................................... 20

3.5 Activity Diagram ........................................................................................................ 21

3.6 Gantt chart ................................................................................................................. 29

CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................................... 31

4.1 Data analysis ............................................................................................................... 31

4.1.1 Questionnaire ..................................................................................................... 31

4.2 Limitation ................................................................................................................... 36

4.2.1 MIT App Inventor ............................................................................................. 37

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4.2.2 Accessing Halal website ..................................................................................... 37

4.2.3 Internet connection ............................................................................................ 38

4.2.4 Time constraint .................................................................................................. 38

CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................................... 39

5.1 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 39

5.2 Recommendations ...................................................................................................... 40

5.2.1 Functionality ........................................................................................................ 40

6 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 42

7 APPENDICES .................................................................................................................... 45

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Halal Malaysia .................................................................................................. 12

Figure 2: Cek Halal .......................................................................................................... 12

Figure 3: myJAKIM ......................................................................................................... 12

Figure 4: Halal or Haraam E-codes .................................................................................. 13

Figure 5: Halal.................................................................................................................. 13

Figure 6: Halal Barcode Scanner UPSI ............................................................................ 13

Figure 7: Halal Food Guide.............................................................................................. 13

Figure 8: RAD .................................................................................................................. 16

Figure 9: RAD .................................................................................................................. 16

Figure 10: MIT App Inventor .......................................................................................... 18

Figure 11: Blocks ............................................................................................................. 18

Figure 12: System Architecture ....................................................................................... 19

Figure 14: Activity diagram ............................................................................................. 21

Figure 15: User Interface ................................................................................................. 23

Figure 16: Main page ....................................................................................................... 24

Figure 17: Admin authentication page ............................................................................. 24

Figure 18: Admin page..................................................................................................... 25

Figure 19: Admin feedback .............................................................................................. 25

Figure 20: Home page ...................................................................................................... 26

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Figure 21: Search ............................................................................................................. 26

Figure 22: Scan ................................................................................................................ 27

Figure 23: Website ........................................................................................................... 27

Figure 24: Message .......................................................................................................... 28

Figure 25: User feedback ................................................................................................. 28

Figure 26: Gender ............................................................................................................ 32

Figure 27: Religion .......................................................................................................... 33

Figure 28: Profession ....................................................................................................... 34

Figure 29: Usability of the application ............................................................................ 34

Figure 30: Interface .......................................................................................................... 35

Figure 31: Functionality of the system............................................................................. 36

TABLES

Table 3-1: Gantt chart FYP I ............................................................................................ 29

Table 3-2: Gantt chart FYP II .......................................................................................... 30

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

According to Mahdi (2015), halal words originated from Arabic phrase which

have permitted or allowed by Islamic Law. Halal is not only for food. It includes

every activity in Muslim’s life, such as relationship with humanity, animals and

other living things, attire, business transaction and any other activities which

already have guidelines specified by Islam Samori, Ishak, and Kassan (2014). For

food processing, it is not only the slaughtering process should be taken into

account or whether the food are free from alcohol and swine but the whole process

also should follow the guideline set by the Department of Islamic Development

(JAKIM).

Besides known as a Muslim country, Malaysia also well known as a global halal

hub country. The World Competitiveness Scoreboard rank Malaysia in top ten as

potential halal leader in food industry (Bohari, Hin, & Fuad, 2013). Since

Malaysia has a large population of Muslim, most of products sold at the market

and shops must have a valid halal certificate to facilitate customers especially

Muslim to shop without feeling worried. To make sure Malaysia is becoming a

global halal hub as claimed, Malaysia introduced Malaysian Standard: Halal Food-

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Production, Preparation and Storage-General Guidelines, known as MS

1500:2004/2009. This standard is a guideline for the food industry to handle and

prepare halal food. It will be used together with MS 1480 and MS 1514.

1.2 Problem Statement

Lack of halal awareness among Muslim

As a Muslim, being aware of what type of food and products that can be

consumed are very important. But many researches shows that there is a lack of

halal awareness among Muslim itself. Ahmad, Abaidah, and Yahya (2013)

concluded in their research by stating that there are many Muslim that still not

concerned about halal food that they consumed. They argue that, Muslim will

change their attitude towards halal food if JAKIM plays their role effectively.

Kordnaeij, Askaripoor, and Bakhshizadeh (2013) also agree that awareness

among Muslim’s consumer towards halal food is still low.

Misuse of halal logo

Halal logo is very important to Muslim consumers as sign that the products can

be consumed. So many businesses will get halal logo to attract Muslim users to

consume their products. However, to get halal certificate business organizations

will have to fulfill many requirements and get through a very certain process

which can take up to three months to two years (Kordnaeij et al., 2013).

Because of that, many business organizations, not only small business, but large

business, faked halal logo because some of their products do not meet the

conditions set by JAKIM (Rezai, Mohamed, Shamsudin, & FC, 2009).

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Lack of law enforcement

Since there are many misused of halal logos, it can be shown that there is a lack

of enforcement from responsible parties such as JAKIM and local authorities.

This is because JAKIM did not have authority to conduct inspections and

prosecute premises that misused halal logo (Z. Ismail & Ehsan, 2010). The

authority is given to Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Hal Ehwal

Pengguna (KPDN and HEP) to do any actions, such as compound, seize and

prosecute the premises. While JAKIM’s roles just give certification to the

business organizations and become witnesses in some related cases (Omar &

Anas, 2014). Ismail & Ehsan also mentioned that lack of visits from JAKIM

causes rampant abuse of halal logo.

1.3 Objectives and Scope of Study

1.3.1 Objectives

The objectives of this project are:

To increase the halal awareness among consumers

To help consumers identify foods of products that are using the fake halal

logo

To identify the suitable tools and approach to be used for the system

project

1.3.2 Scope of study

Target user for this app are consumers that concern about the halal status of the

products and food that they consume. This app is not targeted only for Muslim

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consumers, but also non-Muslim who chooses halal food and products because

of the quality and health (F. R. b. H. Ismail & Nasiruddin, 2014). User also

must have smartphone with Android as their operating system. This is because,

this app will be built based on android application. The range of age for target

user is not limited to adult only.

This project will focus on business organization around Seri Iskandar, Perak.

This is because, this area is near to author place. Besides that, majority of

citizen here is Muslim. Moreover, there are many higher institutions here that

are Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Universiti Teknologi MARA

(UiTM), Kolej Profesional MARA Seri Iskandar (KPMSI), Institut Kemahiran

Belia Negara (IKBN) and many more. So author can get many respondents for

the questionnaire from different educational background.

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CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW AND/OR THEORY

2.1 Scope of halal

Halal is very synonym with Muslim. This is because halal is not something that

Muslim can choose to follow or not. Halal is an obligation and Muslim must

follow this rules as stated in Quran and Sunnah. Rezai, Mohamed, Shamsudin, and

F.C. (2009) stated that halal is relate with faith in Islam. Consuming halal food or

products will lead to a better life and will increase iman (faith) in Islam. Halal

means free from anything that can make food or products become. For example,

halal food is free from pork, alcohol, animals which are not slaughtered according

to syara’ (Islamic law) and any other things that lead to syubhah (not clear).

Besides free from pork, alcohol and any other related things, to determine the

status of halal for certain products or food, it involves the processing raw materials,

storage, handling, and transportation, equipment, retailing processing aids,

distribution and packaging as mentioned by Ahmad et al. Hassan and Awang

(2009) agreed that to process halal products, all the process, storing, utensils,

machineries must be freed from contamination and cannot be contacted with

haram substances. The process also must follow Islamic law (as cited in Twaigery

and Spilman (1989)).

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When talking about halal, most people especially non-Muslim will think that it is

only for food. As stated by Aziz and Wahab (n.d.) Halal Industry Development

Corporation in Malaysia views that Malaysia’s halal level is not only for food, but

also attire and other lifestyles. Halal guideline that had been prepared by JAKIM is

not only for food but also for other products. This is to ensure that the products

that will be developed are safe, quality and free from haram substances that had

been listed by Islamic law. Samori et al. (2014) also agreed that halal is not only

for food or drink, but also for relationship, attire, business transaction and

investment.

2.2 Awareness

Malaysia that had been claimed as Islamic nation also had been claimed to be

global halal hub. This is because, with the majority of Muslim in the citizen,

Malaysia should have many halal foods and products. Besides that Malaysia is a

pioneer to a comprehensive standard called Malaysian Standard: Halal Food-

Production, Preparation and Storage-General Guidelines or MS 1500:2004

(Samori et al.). It also can be seen when there are many halal certified foods,

products and restaurants in Malaysia. In some shopping malls, products that

contain haram substances will be separated from halal products to make sure that

Muslim consumers will not buy non-halal products.

Since choosing halal foods and products is an obligation in Islam, so it is crucial

for Muslim to know and recognize which types of food that they can consume and

not. This is because, every year JAKIM identified many foods and products that

did not have certified halal logo. Since in Malaysia there are lots of foods and

products that have halal logo, it is a major problem to Muslim because they did not

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know which foods or products that have the real halal certificate. In this part,

JAKIM and KPDNKK must play their role effectively because Muslim in

Malaysia trust JAKIM’s halal logo in measuring whether the products or foods can

be consumed or not (Ahmad et al., 2013). This is also agreed by Samori et al.

when Muslim in Malaysia will only consume foods or products when there is halal

logo on it.

Due to this matter, Ahmad et al. stressed that Muslim are less concern about halal

food that they consume in Malaysia. They were more concern about price and

place of the food. Another matter for Muslim awareness towards halal products

were stated by Mathew, Abdullah, and Ismail (2012) when Muslim are more

concern of halal food rather than halal cosmetics. The survey that had been made

by KasehDia Consultancy also agreed by Rahim, Shafii, and Shahwan (2013).

Since most of cosmetics products were developed by non-Muslim and from non-

Muslim country, so some of the ingredients will include humectants, gelatin and

fatty acid that derived from pig.

However, there are some factors that influence the behavior of Muslim choosing

halal foods or products. First is religiosity (Ahmad et al.). They stressed that factor

of religiosity influenced the buying behavior of Muslim towards halal food. They

claimed that, Muslims that are more religious or committed in Islam will carefully

choose the foods or products that they want to consume even though there is halal

logo or not. This factor also agreed by Kordnaeij et al. (2013) and Masnono (2005)

where Muslims that have more faith and religious in Islam will still make

consideration when consuming foods or products even though it have certified

halal logo from JAKIM.

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The obligation that Muslim should consume halal products not just because it is

only for Muslim, it is because of health and quality. Through the guideline for

processing halal food, it can be seen that to process halal food must follow a very

strict rules and regulations. As mentioned above, it involves process from raw

materials to distributing the products or foods (Guide to Understanding Halal

Foods). Besides must be slaughtered following Islamic law, free from pork and

alcohol, cleanliness of the processing place is also taken into account.

Mathew et al. (2012) mentioned that halal food is not about clean, it also about

safety. Based on their research on Acceptance on Halal Food among Non-Muslim

consumers, there are positive response from non-Muslim towards halal food. This

is because a halal food is food that is clean, safe and halal. Since consume a

healthy food can lead to a healthy life, so non-Muslim consumers choose halal

food because of reasons mentioned above. F. R. b. H. Ismail and Nasiruddin (2014)

also agree that concern towards health makes non-Muslim chooses halal food as

their choice for healthy lifestyle.

2.3 Misuse of halal logo

With all steps and precautions that had been prepared by Malaysian government in

order to put Malaysia as global halal hub, there are still lots of misusing of halal

logo. Every year, JAKIM identified many companies that are using faked halal

logo in their products. This statement can be proven with an article from Utusan

Malaysia titled "Jakim kesan 27 kes salah guna logo halal" 2004). In this article

mentioned that among 302 cases that had been investigated, there are 27

companies that did not follow the rules and regulations that had been stated by

JAKIM.

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This situation is worsen when JAKIM itself issued a statement that not all

products that have halal logo is halal. They advised Muslim consumers to

carefully buy products even the products have halal logo ("Bukan semua produk

logo halal adalah halal," 2011). Since the rules and regulations to obtain halal

certification is very strict, many companies decided to fake the logo. On 2013,

there are four premises have use fake halal logo in Sarawak ("JAIS kesan empat

premis langgar perakuan halal | New Sarawak Tribune," 2013). In the same year

also, 20 to 30 non-Muslim companies detected by JAKIM using halal logo but the

ingredients in their products contain substances that are not clear and may lead to

haram (Said, 2013).

2.4 Current issue

On 2006, Malaysia was shocked with the news of High 5 Bakery Company is

using pork oil as one of the ingredients when baking bread. The short message

services (SMS) then when viral at that time, makes JAKIM with KPDNKK do

investigation in that factory. The result is that their halal certification was already

expired for five months. JAKIM also takes samples of oils that are said containing

pork oil for laboratory examination to confirm the allegation (Administrator, 2006).

Based from the analysis, the oil that had been prosecuted containing pork DNA

which is allegedly used to make bread is not true. The other issue arising from the

investigation is the factory is very dirty ("Soal Jawab Bersama PPIM," 2009).

Last year, 2014, Malaysia once again shocked by two of Cadbury Dairy Milk

chocolate products were found to have porcine (pork) deoxyribonucleic acid

10

(DNA) ("2 Cadbury chocolate products officially �not halal� for now - The

Malaysian Insider," 2014). The two of Cadbury products are Cadbury Dairy Milk

Hazelnut and Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond. During this time, JAKIM and

Ministry of Health (MOH) stated that the two products were positively contain

porcine DNA.

Once again, the status of halal for Cadbury Dairy Milk products were questioned

and not only the two products that were claimed to have porcine DNA but all

Cadbury products also affected. After some samples were examined, finally

JAKIM and MOH declared that all Cadbury products including the two that were

effected are free from any porcine DNA and safe to eat by Muslim.

2.5 Current work

2.5.1 JAKIM

To facilitate Muslim in updating halal information, JAKIM have done three

measures which are publish an updated list of companies that get halal

certification in their website, creating e-halal website for companies to check

their current halal status and establishing a short message service (SMS) for

consumer to give any information regarding halal matters (Samori et al.).

Moreover, every company that has halal certification must renew their license

every two years.

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2.5.2 Companies

Moreover, companies corporate with media when advertising their products by

stressing about certified halal logo on their products such as Colgate toothpaste

and Cadbury Dairy milk. JAKIM also uses media such as television, radio, social

media, internet, banner, pamphlet and many more to spread information

regarding halal issues (Rahim et al., 2013). They also noted that Mohd Amri

Abdullah, Deputy Director of JAKIM mentioned that the information about halal

also had been spread to foreign embassy and foreign Islamic organizations.

Furthermore, there are also some universities in Malaysia has set up their own

halal research center and provide courses for students who like to pursue their

studies in halal research.

2.5.3 Existing halal apps

There are some halal apps that already existed in Google store. The halal apps

are not only used in Malaysia, but also worldwide such as Indonesia and some

Arabic countries. Most apps have search functions where users can search for the

products or shops that they want and a list of similar products or shops will

appear. Based from that list, users will choose which products or shops that they

want. Then, the information such as company’s name, business information, and

halal status information will be appeared. The examples are “Halal Malaysia”,

“Cek Halal” and “myJAKIM” apps.

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Figure 1: Halal Malaysia

Figure 2: Cek Halal

Figure 3: myJAKIM

There are also apps that displaying codes for halal and haram ingredients. In the

apps users can choose code for the ingredients. After that, the code, with name

and description of the ingredients will be displayed and users also can see the

status of the ingredients. The example of this app is “Halal or Haraam E-Codes”.

Another examples are “Halal” app that will display location of halal restaurant,

“Halal Barcode Scanner UPSI” app that will scan barcode of products, and

“Halal Food Recipes Guide” app that will list up all halal food recipes.

13

From all apps that had been developed, there is common problem for all apps

which were not yet updated. From the review of the apps, most users responded

the same thing; the databases were not updated and users cannot find products

that they want.

Figure 4: Halal or Haraam E-codes

Figure 5: Halal

Figure 6: Halal Barcode Scanner UPSI

Figure 7: Halal Food Guide

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2.6 Suggested development

Ahmad et al. suggested that JAKIM must play their roles correctly in promoting

and to increase the awareness among consumer about halal. Their suggestion is

that to make all food producers to obtain halal logo from JAKIM. Their idea is to

make sure that there are no food procedures will fake halal logo again. While

Kordnaeij et al. (2013) suggest that to change consumers’ attitude towards halal

products JAKIM needs to improve the way JAKIM promoting halal. They also

suggest that Muslim’s knowledge on halal should be enhancing during religious

teaching in school or higher institutions. Rezai, Mohamed, Shamsudin, and F.C.

(2009) suggest that JAKIM should use the technology to detect the status halal of

imported products.

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CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY/PROJECT WORK

3.1 Development Methodology

For the development of this project, author would like to use Rapid Application

Development (RAD). This is because, RAD is famous used for a project within a

short period. Moreover, the period for the development of this app is only 3 - 4

months. In addition, RAD also suitable for small scale of project. Since it is for

fast development process, RAD did not follow the usual development stages

which are planning, analysis, design and implementation. Based on figure 10

below, there are 6 steps for RAD which are analyze, quote and approve, mockup,

create, stage and test, and release. However, these steps might differ from other

figure.

Based on figure 8 below, RAD is less formal than other Software Development

Life Cycle (SDLC). This is because, it did not follow the usual development

process, sometimes reused software component, and early prototyping. The

advantages of RAD are as mentioned above, it is suitable for developing a system

in short time. It is also use less people in development team but can produce good

system. Since it is reused software component, so it increase the reusability and

also take shorter time rather than to develop new one.

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Figure 8: RAD

Figure 9: RAD

Figure 9 above shows the implementation of RAD in the development of this

project. There are 6 stages of RAD that involve in this development. The first one

is the Analysis and Quick Design. In this stage, the author do research related with

halal issues in Malaysia. The author read many articles and research papers

regarding this matter. This activities are to gather information and to find the

current issues. Based from all the readings, the author can come out with issues

related and try to find the solution from it. After find the issues and suggesting

some solutions, the author did some survey to choose the best solution and find

users requirement, the author starts to plan on the development of the project.

• Do research related with Halal issues in Malaysia

• Plan to design the appAnalysis and Quick Design

• Design the application

• Develop the prototypeBuild

• Test the app in smart phone to see the functionality

Demonstrate

• Identify weaknesses in the app and correct it

• Make sure all functions work wellRefine

• Do testing to some users in targeted area

• Ask for feedbackTesting

• Develop final prototypeImplementation

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The second, third and fourth stages in the figure 8 are cycle stages where these

stages will keep rotating until the development phases in it are finish. During these

stages, the author focus on the development of the project. On the Build stage the

author first create storyboard about the application. During this stage, the author

plan the flow of the system so that the application will have all the functions based

from the user requirement. During this stage also, the author have to decided what

type of platform that she will choose in order to build this application. After

several research and reading, the author decided to choose MIT App Inventor 2 to

develop this application. The author develop this application using help from many

online tutorials. Since this is first time author have used this application, it took

quite time for the author to learn it.

In Demonstrate stage, the author test the application function by function. After

learn from the online tutorials and develop the function, the author will test it. This

is to ensure that the function is working before the author starts to develop other

functions. In Refine stage, the author will identify weaknesses in the app and the

functions. The author will replace it with other functions that can be used but still

fulfilling the objectives of the project. All these three stages will keep rotating

until all the functions are corrected and work well.

After these three stages are done, the author do some testing to some consumers in

the targeted area. This process is to test the functionality and efficiency. The

author also distribute questionnaire to the respondents to ask for feedback. Based

from the feedback, the author will do some correction and improvement to the

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application. In the final stage, the Implementation stage, the author will develop

the final prototype.

3.2 Tools for development

For this project, I will use MIT App Inventor to develop my Android application.

App Inventor, originally provided by Google, is an open source web application

that allows users to develop their own mobile application even though they did not

have experience in creating any. Now, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(MIT) maintained this web application. Figure 10 and 11 below shows the logo

and screenshot of MIT App Inventor respectively.

Figure 10: MIT

App Inventor

Figure 11: Blocks

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3.3 System Architecture

User

Admin

Server Database

Figure 12: System Architecture

Figure 12 above shows the system architecture for this mobile application. There

are two types of actors for this application, the admin and the user. When the user

use the application, his request will go directly to server which is JAKIM. Even

though the user is in offline state, when he send the message to JAKIM, the

message will go to JAKIM server to find the request. If the request is found, then

the server will reply the message with the result. For admin, as for now, he will

edit and update the database of halal products and services. Since there are less

than 20 products in the database, admin can update manually which is means that

the admin have to refer to JAKIM database and take the data and update manually

in the application database.

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3.4 Use case

search products

scan QR code

give/view feedback

view status

edit database

update database login

USER

ADMIN

Figure 13: Use case

Figure 13 above shows the use case for this mobile application. The use case

shows that user can search the products and scan the code. User also can give and

view feedback after using the application. This function is for the developer for

future development and improvement. After searching or scanning, user will know

the status of the products. While admin also can view status. Besides that, admin

can edit or update databases. To do that, it requires admin to login. This is to

ensure security of the data.

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3.5 Activity Diagram

Admin User

Admin Login

Add/Edit/Delete database

Search Scan

Scan QR URL

Online Offline

Scan QR SMS

View/get result

Give/View feedback

Send SMS

Yes

No

Figure 14: Activity diagram

Figure 14 above shows the activity diagram for the application. When user starts the

application, he will have to choose which types of user he is, either the Admin or the

User. If the user is admin, when he choose Admin button, it will lead him to the

22

authentication page. If the user enter the incorrect username and password, then he will

stay at this page. But if he enter the correct username and password, he will go to Admin

Page where he can add, edit and delete the database.

If the user is just regular user, when he chooses User button, he will go to Home Page

where he have to choose either to Search for the database or Scan the QR code. When

the user chooses Search button, he will then go to Search page. He only need to type in

the name of the product then click on Search button to get the result of halal status of

that product. If he chooses Scan, he will go to scanning page.

This function allow user to be either in online or offline state. If the user is online, he

have to scan QR code that will link him to a website that view the halal status of that

product. But if the user is offline, he have to scan QR code that will send message to

JAKIM. When the user scan the code, a format message will appear which is

“<HALAL> <SEMAK> <company registration number>”. The advantage using this

function is that, user did not have to search for the company’s registration number

because in the code already have that company’s registration number. This message will

then send to JAKIM. The user just need to wait for JAKIM to reply the message. This

function will incur cost RM0.20 for every message delivered.

After using this application, user can leave comment or feedback to developer for future

development. Figure 15 below shows the interfaces of this application. It shows that the

interfaces that user will see on every process.

23

Figure 15: User Interface

1

2

6

3

4

5 7

8 9 10

24

1. Main page

Figure 16: Main page

This is the main page that user will see after they

start the application. On this interface, there are two

functions where user can choose. The functions are

“Admin” and “User”. If the current user is an

admin, he can choose either “Admin” or “User”. If

the current user is not an admin, he only can choose

“User”.

2. Admin authentication

page

Figure 17: Admin authentication page

When the user choose “Admin”, he will see this

interface. Here, if he is an admin, he can enter user

name and password to proceed to the next page. If

the user name and password is wrong, he cannot

proceed to the next page. The next page is where

admin can add, edit, and delete database.

25

3. Admin page

Figure 18: Admin page

When the user name and the password is

authenticated, the admin can add, edit or delete the

products or services in the database.

4. Admin feedback

Figure 19: Admin feedback

In this admin’s feedback screen, admin can add,

view and delete feedback from users. Admin can

use this function for application development.

26

5. Home page

Figure 20: Home page

This is the home page for user. Here, user have two

functions to choose which are “Search” or “Scan”.

6. Search

Figure 21: Search

When user chooses “Search”, it will go to this

screen. Here, user only have to type what is the

product or service that he wants to look for. Then,

he push the “Search” button and the result will

display at the same screen. For this function, the

database is stored in the phone and also in the

internet database. Since the database is stored in the

phone, user will get the result faster and user can

use this function when they did not have internet

connection.

27

7. Scan

Figure 22: Scan

From the “Home page”, when user chooses “Scan”

function, he will go to this screen. User can use this

function whether they have internet connection or

not. If user have internet connection, he needs to

scan QR code that contain URL address but if user

did not have internet connection he needs to scan

QR code that contain text message. Here, user can

scan QR code which had been displayed at the

premise. User have to push “Scan” button and scan

the code. When the camera detect the code that

contain URL address, “Go” button will appear and

user need to push that button. Otherwise, when

camera detect the code containing text message,

“Send SMS” button will appear.

8. Website

Figure 23: Website

When camera detects the code contain URL

address, and user push “Go” button, it will show a

website contain halal information about the premise

which user had scanned before. The information are

company name, halal certification expired date,

JAKIM reference number and the status.

28

9. Message

Figure 24: Message

When the camera detects the code contain text

message, and user push “Send SMS” button, it will

go to SMS function in user phone. In the text

message, the format message (SEMAK HALAL

<company registration number>) that user needs to

type to send SMS to JAKIM already typed in the

message box along with the company registration

number. The number that user needs to send

(15888) the message also already there in the

recipient number box. The user only need to send

the message and wait for the reply. The user will be

charged with RM0.20 if he uses this function.

10. User’s feedback

Figure 25: User feedback

In this screen user can give feedback to Admin for

any improvement or development that can be done

in the application. User can only submit feedback

but cannot delete it.

29

3.6 Gantt chart

Duration (Week) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

FYP

I

Task

PLANNING

Problem Identification

Project Topic

Submission

Define Objectives of

Project

Research Paper Reading

Tools Research &

Selection

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Extended Proposal

Submission

DESIGN

Designing the

Architecture

Construct UML:

Diagram

Define Functions

Submission of Interim

Report

Project Proposal Defense Table 3-1: Gantt chart FYP I

30

Duration (Week) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

FYP

II

Task

DEVELOPMENT

Build the application

Progress report

submission

Improvement of the

prototype

Pre-SEDEX

DEPLOYEMENT

Testing

SEDEX

NRIC

VIVA

Project Submission Table 3-2: Gantt chart FYP II

31

CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Data analysis

To see whether this application is fulfilling the objectives, the author have done

some testing to users around target area which is Seri Iskandar. The author have

chooses 10 respondents to be the tester and after the testing is done, they are

required to fill the questionnaire to get the feedback. The author take one day to do

this testing and the targeted area is at Billion Seri Iskandar.

4.1.1 Questionnaire

To get user feedback on the application, the author had asked all the testers to

answer one set of questionnaire with 13 questions including open and closed

ended questions. The types of questions that had been asked are demography

questions, usability, interface and functionality of the system.

32

a. Demography

Figure 26: Gender

Figure 16 above shows the gender of the respondents that involve in this

testing activities. There are 70% of female respondents involved in this testing

activities while on male respondents are 30%.

30%

70%

Gender

male

female

33

Figure 27: Religion

Figure 17 above shows the religion for the respondents that involve in this

testing activities. The author had mentioned above that the user for this

application is not only for Muslims so the participations from other religion

besides Muslims are very important. Based from the figure above, majority of

the respondents for this testing are Muslims with 70%. While Christian, Hindu

and others are only 10%.

70%

10%

10%

10%

RELIGION

islam christian buddhist hindu others

34

Figure 28: Profession

Figure 18 shows the profession for the respondents that involve in this testing

activities. Based on the figure above, it shows that 50% of the respondents are

university or college students while 30% are worker and 20% are school

students.

Figure 29: Usability of the application

For usability (refer to figure 19), all users agree that this application is user

friendly, very easy to use and also easy to understand even for the first time

20%

50%

30%

Profession

school student

university/collegestudent

worker

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

1.       This mobile application isvery easy to use

2.       This mobile application isuser friendly

3.       This mobile application isvery easy to understand

Usability

No Yes

35

user. This is because, this application have two functions only which are

search and scan. This is to ensure that this application fulfill the requirements

and objectives that had been decided earlier.

Figure 30: Interface

For interface (refer to figure 20), most of the user did not have any problem

with the interface of the application. During testing, some users mentioned

that the color and font are not suitable for some users and the color are

striking and the font is small. They suggest to use less striking color and use

thick font.

0 2 4 6 8 10

1.       The interface is simple

and creative

2.       The font and background

color/picture are contrast

3.       The background color

used in the system is suitable

Interface

No Yes

36

Figure 31: Functionality of the system

For functionality (refer to figure 21), all users agree this application can help

them identify fake halal logo this is because, when they scan the logo, the

result is taken directly from JAKIM halal website. They also agree this

application is very suitable to use as this is the latest technology. Two users

suggest the author to add other function in the application such as comment

for users to give any feedback or information. They also suggest to put other

halal information such as list of certified foreign halal logo.

4.2 Limitation

There are several limitations faced by the author during the development of this

project.

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

1.       This application can help me toidentify fake halal logo.

2.       There should be more functionsin this application.

3.       This mobile application is verysuitable for this kind of purposes.

Functionality

No Yes

37

4.2.1 MIT App Inventor

Even though MIT App Inventor is very easy to learn, but this application have

several weaknesses. One of it is this application cannot import Java code. The

whole application must be built using the blocks that had been provided in the

application. Even though the coding is in normal language, but without Java code,

it is very hard to develop a very good android application. Besides that MIT App

Inventor only support Android. The developer cannot build iOS application using

MIT App Inventor.

4.2.2 Accessing Halal website

During the development, the author need to access to Halal website in order to

get information regarding the companies with the halal status information. But

there are certain time when the website is down and the author cannot access it to

get information. Since the author is using QR code for this project, the author

intended to link the QR code directly to Halal website so that the user will get

correct information. Unfortunately, there is no direct link to open page that have

the information needed as the page appear as pop up page in the website.

To solve this problems, the author have to create an account on free website and

have to copy the information needed such as name of the company, certification

expired date, halal status and JAKIM reference number to this website and direct

the QR code to this website. This is to show to the user that using QR code is the

easiest and fastest way to get information.

38

4.2.3 Internet connection

To develop this application, the author have to always connect to the internet.

Besides that, both smartphone and computer must connect in the same network to

do testing before the application is publish. During the development, most of the

time the author will use UTP LAN internet connection and the author will use the

emulator to test the application. There are many times when the connection is

suddenly lost and it takes some times to connect back. The connection also is

very slow and it is hard for the author to develop the application when the

connection is slow.

4.2.4 Time constraint

The duration of project development also become the limitation for this project.

This is because, the author only have less than 3 months to start and finish this

project. Since this is first time the author use MIT App Inventor, the author needs

some time to understand the application and build the project. Besides that, the

author also have many other responsibilities as student such as to attend classes,

study for quizzes and tests, and involving in events.

39

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

Halal is very important especially towards Muslims because it is Muslim way of

life. Lack of information and difficulties to know the status of some products

makes some Muslims take this halal matters lightly. Using existing technology

advances, it helped Muslims a lot in this matter. Users did not have to search for

halal website or even to read blogs just to know the halal status of some products

or services. Users also can search it at anywhere and anytime whether they are

online or offline.

Based on testing that had been done, it shows that this application help users to

know halal status of some products in Seri Iskandar area. Even though the

products in the database are not many, but most of the users are satisfied with the

application and they encourage the author to improve this application by adding

more products and services. Overall, this application is easy to use and very

helpful to users to know halal status and for Muslims to have confidence in

everything that they consume.

40

5.2 Recommendations

5.2.1 Functionality

5.2.1.1 Add search function for E-Code or E-numbers

One of the comment from the user testing feedback, is to add search function to

search for E-Code or E-numbers description. This is because, for some products

such as candies, where it did not have any code to scan, consumer will not

know the status of the product. The only reference that consumer have is the list

of ingredients on the product. But, most of the ingredients are using the

scientific names with codes. According to Wikipedia (2015) E-numbers is list

of codes for the use of food additive as ingredients in food. This code had been

used in European Union where the “E” stands for Europe.

These E-codes has been divided into several range for its own uses. Below is

the list of the codes:

4.1 E100–E199 (colors)

4.2 E200–E299 (preservatives)

4.3 E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)

4.4 E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)

4.5 E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)

4.6 E600–E699 (flavor enhancers)

4.7 E700–E799 (antibiotics)

4.8 E900–E999 (glazing agents and sweeteners)

4.9 E1000–E1599 (additional chemicals)

Under all these codes contain animal fat where it comes to a concern from

consumers especially Muslim consumers on which codes for pig fat.

41

5.2.1.2 Add more products in the database

For the earlier development of this project, the author decided to store less than

20 products and services in this application. The author planning to add more

products in the database after receiving feedback from users. Based from the

testing that had been done, most users like this application and encourage the

author to publish it in the Google Play Store so that more consumers can use

this application. They suggest that the author add more products and services in

the database so that user will have more products and services to search for.

5.2.1.3 Liaise with JAKIM so that the database can be updated manually

Since there are less than 20 products and services in the database, the author

can update it manually. Since there are request from users to add products and

services in the database, they also suggest that the author should work together

with JAKIM so that the author did not have to update the products and services

manually. Besides that, users also will get latest and updated information about

the halal status of products and services.

42

6

7

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9 APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Questionnaire for testing