BPJPH Will Legalize Uncertified Halal Products, Members Of The DPR: Ngawur And Sembrono Policies

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives, Mufti Anam, responded to the statement by the Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) Ahmad Haikal Hasan who said that all food, beverage, medicine and cosmetic products that had not yet obtained a halal certificate would be categorized as illegal goods starting in 2026. According to Mufti, the BPJPH policy is inconsequential and reckless.

"I consider that starting in 2026 all products without halal certification will be considered as illegal products are inconsequential statements and reckless policies," said Mufti Anam, Friday, October 10.

Mufti also assessed that the statement by the Head of BPJPH not only showed the government's unpreparedness in managing the national halal industry, but also had the potential to kill millions of MSME players who today are bleeding to keep their efforts alive amid global economic pressure.

"We all agree that halal is important, even mandatory. But big policies like this cannot be implemented with an approach to announcements and threats," he said.

"Before talking about coercion, the state must reflect: is the halal certification ecosystem in Indonesia ready? Is the process simple, cheap, and free of extortion? Do the authorities and institutions have credibility? Because in reality, many business actors want to obey, but cannot afford it," continued Mufti.

Mufti also mentioned the complicated and expensive halal certification process that burdened small traders. In fact, he said, the halal certificate came out without a comprehensive field check.

"Don't be surprised if halal certification turns into a new commodity of extortion. Therefore, before forcing the people, first fix the institution. Strengthen its credibility in the international world. Today alone, Indonesian halal products cannot go directly to the global market because the halal certification has not been recognized," said Mufti.

The PDIP politician revealed that currently there are still many national exporters who must get halal certification from Malaysia so that their products are recognized as halal. In fact, Indonesia's certification is better than Malaysian halal certification, because the number of Muslim and MSMEs in the country is much larger than neighboring countries.

"What does that mean? The world doesn't believe in Indonesia's halal standards. Then how can we force small people in our own country, while the outside world doesn't believe in our system yet?" he said.

Mufti is worried that this policy will actually hinder the acceleration of the national economy, especially in the MSME sector, which should be the backbone of growth. Therefore, he assessed that the government should not scare business actors with 'illegal' threats, but build a credible, transparent, and people's side and focus on building a trusted system.

'Don't be like a firefighter, come only after the policy causes turmoil. If you want this nation to become the center of the world's halal industry, start from the right intentions, not from threats that actually scare the people," concluded Mufti.

Previously, Head of BPJPH Ahmad Haikal Hasan said that all food, beverage, medicine and cosmetic products that have not yet obtained a halal certificate will be categorized as illegal goods starting in 2026. According to Haikal, Law Number 33 of 2014 mandates all food, drinks, including drugs, cosmetics and so on, must have a halal certificate.

He also called for the limit of halal certification for these products to be regulated in PP Number 42 of 2024 Articles 160 and 161. Haikal said that micro and small businesses are required to have halal certification for food, beverage products, slaughter results, and slaughter services from October 17, 2019 to October 17, 2026. The provisions regarding other types of products are further outlined in Article 161.

Products that are required to have halal certificates include goods and/or services related to food, beverages, drugs, cosmetics, chemical products, biological products, genetic engineering products, as well as utilization items used, used or used by the community.