Ministry Of Religion Responds To Halal Label: The Shape Of Gunungan Does Not Mean Java Is Centric

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion stated that the selection of the form of gunungan and striated batik in the Indonesian Halal label issued by the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) does not mean that it is Java-centric.

"The selection of a halal label that uses the Gunungan wayang and batik lurik media is not correct if it is said to be Java-centric," said the Head of the Halal Certification Registration Center at the Ministry of Religion's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) Mastuki in a written statement received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Monday. , March 14.

Previously, the selection of this puppet form received a number of responses in the community. The new halal label is considered not to make it easier for the public to identify halal products.

In the old form issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) the identification of halal products through the logo is clearly visible because it uses Arabic in its halal writing.

While in the new form, using calligraphy and in the form of mountains of puppets. Even though there are Latin words Halal Indonesia under halal calligraphy, the public still cannot accept the shape of the latest logo.

Mastuki explained three things that became the basis for choosing a new logo. First, both wayang and batik have become Indonesian heritage that are recognized by the world. Both are designated by UNESCO as a human heritage for non-material culture (intangible heritage of humanity).

For BPJPH, both batik and wayang are representations of Indonesian culture originating from traditions, cultural crosses and the results of civilization that developed in the archipelago.

"Wayang was established (UNESCO) in 2003, while batik was established six years later, namely in 2009," said Mastuki.

Second, gunungan wayang is not only used in Java. According to him, in a number of community traditions that are closely related to wayang, they also use gunungan. He gave an example of Balinese puppets and Sasak puppets, which both use gunungan.

"The puppet show that developed in Sunda also uses gunungan," he said.

Third, the determination of the Indonesian halal label is carried out through long research and involves experts. BPJPH, he said, did not immediately set this halal label on only one consideration, but various considerations.

According to him, the big consideration is how the label that will become a brand for products circulating in Indonesia and abroad and certified as halal has meaning, differentiation, consistency and distinction.

"This distinction is not of different origin, but the difference that is characteristic of Indonesia, as well as connecting Indonesia and Islam. Both have been integrated in our civilization for hundreds of years, so the use of elements of form, elements of color from the culture that developed in Indonesia is very legitimate and can be accounted for ," he said.

He said the mixture of various elements of shape, pattern and color is the basis for the design of the halal label, coupled with a study of the visual elements of the logo/label form used by Halal Certification Bodies/Institutions around the world.

"There are 12 options/alternatives for halal label designs that are offered to BPJPH in various very rich forms representing the richness of Islamic and Indonesian culture," he said.