Aceh Launches Halal Culinary Zone At Hospital, First In Indonesia

BANDA ACEH - The Aceh Government together with the Aceh Bank Indonesia (BI) Representative Office launched a halal, safe and healthy culinary zone (Khas), at the Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital (RSUDZA) Banda Aceh, and this is the first in Indonesia.

"Untuk penetapan zona kuliner halal, aman dan sehat di dalam rumah sakit, maka ini menjadi yang pertama di Indonesia," kata Staf Ahlis Bidang Perekonomian Keuangan dan Pembangunan Setda Aceh Restu Andi Surya, di Banda Aceh, Jumat.

The first Typical Zone is located in the canteen of the Aceh Government's hospital cooperative. There, there are 20 culinary MSMEs, 17 of which have been certified halal and the other three are waiting for the trial process.

Restu said that the determination of this Typical zone is a tangible manifestation not only to satisfy taste, but also to maintain halalness and consumer health.

This initiative, he said, not only presents culinary areas that are in accordance with the values of Islamic law. However, it also educates the public to be more concerned about halal food consumption.

"So now, RSUDZA is not only a health service center, but also a culinary area that upholds halal principles and cleanliness," he said.

In addition, he said, the application of the Typical zone is also to support the development of the sharia economy which is a national priority and is in line with the direction of Aceh's development based on the sharia concept.

With the presence of this Typical zone, it can foster the trust of local communities and foreign tourists in Aceh.

"This also supports Aceh as an important part of the national and international halal ecosystem. Finally, it has a double effect on the MSME sector, tourism and the food industry in Aceh," said Restu.

Head of the BI Aceh Representative, Agus Chusaini, said that basically culinary in Aceh is all halal, but the determination of this Typical zone already has halal certification.

For Aceh, as a pilot project, it has been planned to establish four Typical zones, namely at RSUDZA, then one of the tourist attractions in Banda Aceh City, in Sabang City, and Aceh Besar District.

"As a pilot project, this Typical zone will soon be followed by Banda Aceh, Sabang and Aceh Besar. Hopefully, the four of them can be realized by 2025," he also said.

On this occasion, he hopes that all parties will continue to support the formation of this Typical zone, and this is also an effort by the government in maintaining the Adinata Syariah award regarding its contribution to the development of the national sharia economy.

In addition, he said again, the presence of this Typical zone is also an effort and determination of BI to form a sharia economic ecosystem in Indonesia so that it runs smoothly.

"So, we invite all stakeholders of the Expert Staff for the Financial Economy and Development of the Aceh Regional Secretariat Restu Andi Surya when attaching a halal Culinary certification sticker on the MSME rack in the Typical Zone of RSUDZA Banda Aceh after the launch, in Banda Aceh, Friday (14/6/2025).