The New Halal Logo Is Considered Java-centric Because It Is In The Form Of A Puppet, Commission VIII DPR: The Important Thing Is Arabic Writing

New/intermediate Halal Logo

JAKARTA - The new halal logo released by the Indonesian Ministry of Religion received mixed responses from the public. In social media, netizens are busy saying that the Indonesian Halal logo seems too imposing Java-centric because it is shaped like a puppet mountain. Responding to this, Deputy Chairperson of Commission VIII DPR Ace Hasan Syadzily, emphasized that the issuance of the halal logo is a mandate from Law No. 33 of 2014 concerning Guarantees Halal Products. Where is the obligation of BPJPH to create a nationally valid halal logo.

The logo problem is interpreted or interpreted differently, according to Ace, of course it depends on the point of view of each person who judges it.

"For me, the most important thing is that the Arabic script contains the word "halal" and it is already contained in Arabic writing which means it," said Ace to reporters, Sunday, March 13. As far as Ace knows, the type of halal writing on the new logo in Arabic calligraphy is included in the category of khat kufi.

"The question of interpreting it depends on how we look at it. What is clear is that the creator of this logo has the aim of adapting the local wisdom of our nation's culture," he explained.

For people who are used to reading Arabic letters with various types, said Ace, of course it will be easy to read that it is an Arabic letter which means halal. But for those who are not used to reading Arabic, it must still be very foreign.

"Therefore, it needs to be disseminated to the wider community about the logo," concluded Ace. It is known, the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) has established a nationally valid halal label. The determination of the halal label is stated in the Decree of the Head of BPJPH Number 40 of 2022 concerning the Determination of the Halal Label.

The Decree was issued in Jakarta on February 10, 2022, signed by the Head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham, and is effective as of March 1, 2022.

Aqil explained that the determination of the halal label was carried out to implement the provisions of Article 37 of Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantee (JPH).

This determination is also part of the implementation of the mandate of Government Regulation (PP) Number 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of the JPH Sector.

"Implementing the mandate of the legislation, especially Article 37 of Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Guaranteed Halal Products, BPJPH stipulates a halal label in the form of a logo as we have officially included in the Decree of the Head of BPJPH," said Aqil as quoted from his written statement, Sunday, March 13th.

He explained that the shape and style of the new halal logo philosophically adapts Indonesian values. The shapes and patterns used are cultural artifacts that have unique characteristics that have strong characters and represent Indonesian Halal.

The form of the Indonesian Halal label consists of two objects, namely the form of gunungan and the surjan motif or lurik gunungan on the wayang kulit which is in the shape of a pyramid, pointing upwards. According to Aqil, the shape of the mountain symbolizes human life.

"The shape of the mountains is arranged in such a way in the form of calligraphy Arabic letters consisting of the letters Lam Alif, and Lam in a series to form the word Halal," he explained. humans have to be more conical (golong gilig). Or in Javanese terms, 'manunggaling soul, taste, creativity, intention, and work' in life, or getting closer to the Creator. Meanwhile, the surjan motif, which is also called the taqwa clothing, contains deep philosophical meanings.

Among them, the neck of Surjan's shirt has 3 pairs of buttons (6 buttons) all of which describe the pillars of faith. In addition, the surjan/striated motifs that are parallel to each other also have meaning as a clear distinction/delimiter.

"This is in line with the goal of implementing Halal Product Assurance in Indonesia to provide comfort, security, safety, and certainty of the availability of halal products for the public in consuming and using the product," Aqil added.

Aqil added that the Indonesian Halal label uses purple as the main color of the label and turquoise green as its secondary color.

"Purple is the main color of the Indonesian Halal Label. The purple color represents the meaning of faith, inner and outer unity, and the power of imagination. While the secondary color is turquoise green, which represents the meaning of wisdom, stability, and serenity," explained Aqil Irham.