Ministry Of Religion Takes Authorized Expert From MUI, Denny Siregar: Hopefully There Will Be No Strange Halal Labels On Cats And Cat Food Again

Social media activist Denny Siregar (Photo: Denny Siregar's DOK Instagram)

JAKARTA - Social media activist Denny Siregar fully supports the steps taken by the Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) to establish a 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 10 February 2022 and signed by the Head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham.

Previously, the issue of halal certification and apparently became the authority of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

According to Denny, it is hoped that in the future, strange halal labels will no longer appear. For example, in paint cans or in cat food.

"Hopefully after @Kemenag_RI takes over the halal certification from @MUIPusat, there will be no more strange halal labels such as in paint, refrigerator and cat food," Denny said via a tweet on his Twitter, Dennysiregar7 reported Monday, March 14.

Denny said that the halal certificate on the packaging should not have a bad impact on the image of Islam itself.

"Don't embarrass Islam with such a model," he said.

Hopefully after @Kemenag_RI takes over the halal certification from @MUIPusat, there will be no more strange halal labels like paint, refrigerator and cat food. Don't embarrass Islam with such a model.

— Denny siregar (@Dennysiregar7) March 13, 2022

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) confirmed that the halal logo issued by his party was still valid even though the Ministry of Religion had released the latest halal label.

Secretary General of MUI, Amirsyah Tambunan explained, the MUI halal logo can still be used. This is stated in the implementation of Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantee (JPH), namely in PP 39/2021 concerning the Implementation of the Halal Product Guarantee Sector.

"In Article 169 of the transitional provisions, you can still use the MUI logo until 5 years after the PP is issued," Amirsyah told reporters, Sunday, March 13.

Furthermore, Amirsyah said, at least there are some provisions that are emphasized in the regulation. Namely, a halal certificate that has been issued by MUI or BPJPH.

"Before this government regulation is promulgated, (the MUI halal logo) remains in effect until the Halal Certificate period expires," he said.

Then the form of the halal logo which was determined by MUI before this Government Regulation was promulgated, can still be used for a maximum period of 5 years from the promulgation of this government regulation, set in Jakarta on February 2, 2021.

"On that basis, in the next five (5) year transition, MUI appeals to the public to be calm. So that the use of the MUI halal logo can still be used according to the PP so that the transition process can run smoothly," he explained.