Halal Label Quarrel and MUI's Workaround to Reclaim Halal Control

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) criticized the new Indonesian Halal logo issued by the Religious Affairs Ministry's Halal Certification Agency (BPJPH). MUI Deputy Chairperson Anwar Abbas argued the logo strayed away from the initial consensus and did not represent the national wisdom. He said that the new label, in effect since March 1, invalidated MUI and BPJPH's previous logos.

"In fact, in the early talks that I am aware of, the new logo must show three major elements, namely the BPJPH, MUI, and halal letters. The MUI and halal letters must be written in Arabic," Abbas said on Monday. He also questioned the word halal in the logo, confusingly written in Arabic calligraphy, and its overall shape, bearing a resemblance of a gunungan, a commonly used figure in wayang performance in the Javanese culture. "Because the nation's culture is not only Javanese," he said.