It Turns Out That The Head Of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham Said, There Were 11 Proposals For A Halal Logo Before Finally Choosing One

Dr. Muhammad Aqil Irham, M.Si. (Savic Rabos / VOI)

JAKARTA – The new halal logo created by the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (PBJPH) has received mixed comments from various groups. Dr. Muhammad Aqil Irham, M.Si, Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) responded casually to the pros and cons of this matter. Before it was decided there were 11 halal logo designs that were entered.

Aqil said, as he is usually called, his party then chose one of the incoming logo proposals. Finally, it was decided that a new halal logo in the form of gunungan in wayang was chosen as a substitute for the old halal logo from MUI.

“In the process, around 11 label designs emerged. There are square shapes, round shapes and there are triangles and pentagons. Each logo proposal has its own philosophical content. From all the logo designs, we finally decided on a logo that has been spread to the public through media coverage," he said.

To decide which logo to choose, apart from internal parties, BPJPH also involves external parties who have competence in assessing a logo. "In addition to internal parties, we also ask external parties to provide an assessment. We involve experts who have competence in this field,” he explained.

Office of the Halal Product Assurance Administration (BPJPH) (Edy/VOI)

According to Aqil, the institution he leads is actually only carrying out the regulatory mandate, in this case the laws and government regulations related to halal products. "We are mandated by regulations in the form of Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantee and Government Regulation Number 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of the Halal Product Assurance Sector. These two regulations delegate authority to BPJPH to determine and determine the halal label that applies in Indonesia from the beginning was carried out by MUI," he said when visited by VOI at the BPJPH office, Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, Tuesday 15 March.

On this basis, said Aqil, BPJPH determined a team to conduct a scientific study to take steps in accordance with the mandate of the law and regulations regarding halal products. “On that basis, we have appointed a team to conduct scientific studies. We also held discussions in the internal environment and also held discussions with various external parties from BPJPH," he explained.

Dr. Muhammad Aqil Irham, M.Si, Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH). (Savic Rabos/VOI)

According to Aqil, the plan to change the label of halal products has spread among entrepreneurs and producers although it is still in a limited scope. "Business actors and stakeholders have been asking us, when will BPJPH launch a new halal logo," he said.

Although it has spread among the media and the public, in fact BPJPH has not inaugurated this new logo. As long as it is not officially valid, the old logo can still be used. "The decision letter regarding the halal logo is effective March 1, 2022. However, those who still have stock of the old halal logo are still allowed to use it until it runs out and the transition period is complete. When the time comes, everyone must use the new halal label," he said.

However, this halal logo has not yet been inaugurated, it has reaped the pros and cons from the public, observers and politicians who have voiced about this halal logo. For the beginning, there was no problem with the new Indonesian halal logo being discussed. There are even pros and some who are contra after knowing the new halal logo.

“Yes, it's okay, this is part of a form of outreach to publications. Think of it as a promotion, as well as education to consumers and producers. So that we can get to know more about this new halal logo," said Muhammad Aqil Irham.