MUI Halal Label Gradually Applies No Longer In Today's Memory, March 12, 2022

The portrait of MUI's halal label that will no longer apply nationally. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Memories today, three years ago, March 12, 2022, Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas emphasized that the halal label of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) gradually does not apply anymore. The decision was taken because the Ministry of Religion's halal label has been published.

Previously, MUI was known to have the authority to carry out halal label certification and issuance. This effort became the prima donna. Many business actors take advantage of it by taking care of halal certification. They hope to create consumer trust from Muslims.

Muslims often consider the importance of halal matters of a product. The narrative develops because religious orders emphasize that a person should consume good and stay away from the haram, from food, drinks, to medicines.

The case is not easy to know which products have been processed halal or haram. MUI immediately responded. The mass organization created a Food, Medicine and Cosmetic Studies Agency (LPPOM-MUI) from 1989.

The institutions have the authority to provide certification and the issuance of halal labels. Whoever the product passes the laboratory test, they may use the halal label in their products.

The presence of halal labels also makes Muslim consumer confidence increase. However, the implementation of halal certification does not always run smoothly. There are indications that many entrepreneurs want to use the fast path so that they practice bribery.

Not to mention the non-transparent affairs of the halal certification process. The costs incurred for conducting halal tests are also high. The government is also attracted to take over the halal certification process through the Ministry of Religion. This wish was expressed by the presence of the Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) from 2017.

The agency took over MUI's authority as a halal stampman. The Ministry of Religion's halal certification efforts are increasingly complete with the release of the latest halal label on March 12, 2022.

"The form of the Indonesian Halal label consists of two objects, namely the shape of the Gunungan and the motive of Surjan or Lurik Gunungan on a fives-shaped shadow puppet, sloped upwards. This symbolizes human life," said Head of BPJPH, Aqil Irham as quoted by the COMPASS page.tv, March 12, 2022.

The new halal label has been effective nationally as of March 1, 2022. The Ministry of Religion's halal label also gave rise to pros and cons. Some consider its shape only to represent the island of Java. This condition is considered to have hurt the hearts of those outside Java.

However, the debate regarding the new halal label did not seem to be a big problem. Minister of Religion, Yaqut spoke up on March 12, 2022. He emphasized that the new halal label is an affirmation that the halal label issued by MUI is no longer valid gradually.

This affirmation further proves that halal certification is the authority of the government, not mass organizations. The new halal label is known as a form of implementation of the mandate of laws and regulations, especially Article 37 of Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantee.

The Ministry of Religion's BPJPH stipulates a halal label that applies nationally. The labeling is also stated in the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 40 of 2022 concerning the Determination of Halal Labels.

"In the future, gradually the halal label issued by MUI will no longer apply. Halal certification, as stipulated by law, is organized by the government, no longer a mass organization," Yaqut said on his Instagram account @gusyaqut, March 12, 2012.