TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Majority of factions at the House of Representatives (DPR) has rejected the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to be the only authorized institution to issue halal certificates. By passing A bill draft of halal product guarantee (RUU JPH), the legislative council intended to establish a new government's body to manage the halal certification.
"We want to establish a body under the Religious Affairs Ministry," United Development Party (PPP) faction chief Hasrul Azwar said yesterday after a closed meeting of RUU JPH Task Force in Senayan.
Democrat Party faction deputy chief of religious affairs commission, Mahrus Munir, said MUI’s halal certification procedure that has been implemented since 1989 is no longer applicable. The procedure has too many weaknesses, including the absence of audit in granting the halal certificates. In addition, the state has no authority to supervise the procedure.
In response to the DPR's plan, MUI chief Din Syamsuddin said MUI should be the sole institution authorized to issue halal certificates as the halal status of a product should be based on Islamic law, including fatwa.
MUI is an organization that comprises experts of Islamic law from various community organizations that has extensive knowledge about halal and haram, as well as scientists from universities.
Next Tuesday, each faction of RUU PJH task force will deliver its view about a concept of the draft bill that was submitted by the government on January 22. Two discussions have been held at the religious commission since MUI has insisted on its exclusive authority of halal certification.
TRI SUHARMAN | KHAIRUL ANAM | ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA | RIZKI PUSPITA SARI | IRA GUSLINA SUFA | EFRI R
