Regarding Halal Vaccines, PAN: If The Vice President Wants To Call The Minister Of Health, Why Hasn't It Been Executed?

Illustration of COVID-19 vaccination at Ponpes Lirboyo, Kediri City. (Between)

JAKARTA - DPR member Saleh Partaonan Daulay asked Vice President (Wapres) Ma'ruf Amin to encourage the implementation of the COVID-19 halal vaccine according to the decision of the Supreme Court (MA).

"The vice president is seen as a political figure and a religious figure who best understands the urgency of using halal vaccines," Saleh said in a written statement in Jakarta, Sunday, May 15.

According to him, before becoming Vice President, Ma'ruf Amin was the General Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) who had long experience and struggles in the cultivation of halal products in Indonesia. Even through the latest National Conference, he was confirmed again as Chairman of the Central MUI Advisory Council.

"It's not wrong if he is seen as an icon for the use of halal products in Indonesia," he said.

He emphasized that with the position of Vice President, Ma'ruf Amin it would be easier to order the use of halal products for the entire community. Moreover, the product is a vaccine type.

According to him, if the vice president cares about the wishes of the people who want halal vaccines, then the Ministry of Health is summoned to ask for an explanation as to why the Supreme Court's decision on halal vaccines was not implemented.

"If the vice president wants, the Minister of Health and the Ministry of Health can be summoned. Ask for an explanation about the Supreme Court's decision. Why can't it be implemented and executed," he said.

The chairman of the PAN faction believes that if the vice president intervenes, the Supreme Court's decision will be implemented. Because, in the eyes of the people, KH Ma'ruf not only has a symbol of political power, but also at the same time holds a very strong Islamic religious knowledge authority. Opportunities like this are very valuable to show siding with the protection of Muslim consumers in Indonesia.

"I'm sure the president will agree if Kiyai Ma'ruf takes part in implementing this Supreme Court decision. Of course it will be very helpful for the government. At least to show siding with the rule of law and the protection of Muslim consumers in Indonesia. That is also part of the manifestation of the implementation of human rights ," he explained.

Previously, the Indonesian Survey Media (MSI) released findings related to requests for travelers related to vaccines. In a survey entitled Travelers' Opinions about Halal Vaccines aimed at travelers, they want the government to immediately follow up on the decision of the Supreme Court (MA) regarding halal vaccines.

"Most of the respondents for Muslim travelers support the Supreme Court's decision on April 14, 2022, which requires the government to provide halal vaccines. The government must immediately follow up on this decision by providing halal vaccines specifically for Muslims," explained MSI Director Asep Rohmatullah in his statement, Saturday, May 14.

In his findings, Asep said, the majority of respondents, 87.8 percent, supported the Supreme Court's decision which required the government to provide halal vaccines. However, only 1.1 percent of respondents refused. But unfortunately, said Asep, the Supreme Court's decision number 31 P/HUM/2022 was only known to less than a quarter of the respondents or 22.7 percent.