Presidential Staffer Joins Discussion on Halal Certification in Indonesia

Presidential Staffer Diaz Hendropriyono Friday (02/04) held a virtual Focus Group Discussion on international cooperation related to halal certification in Indonesia.

The discussion,  titled “Focus Group Discussion: Halal Certification Cooperation in Indonesia”,  was attended by representatives of twenty embassies of friendly countries residing in Indonesia, the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH), the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS), and ministries / agencies related to halal product guarantee certification.

During the event, Diaz brought together representatives of the embassies and the BPJPH to have a dialogue regarding changes to halal certification regulations which were previously complicated and disrupted international relations and trade.

“I ensure that the policies implemented by ministries and agencies must not interfere with trade and / or friendly relations. That’s where we stepped in to facilitate this discussion,” he said.

For the record, the Indonesian House of Representatives in 2014 passed Law Number 33 of 2014 on Guaranteed Halal Products (Halal Regulation) aimed at providing guarantees to the Indonesian people regarding halal products purchased and imported in Indonesia.

Several implementing regulations have also been issued to implement the provisions in halal regulations, one of which is Government Regulation Number 39 of 2021 on the Implementation of the Halal Product Assurance Sector.

“There are more than 200 million Muslims in Indonesia and President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo acknowledges the need to protect the interests of the community as consumers and pushes the vision to become the center of the sharia economy and halal industry by 2024,” he said.

However, after discussing with several embassies of friendly countries in Indonesia, Diaz highlighted several important concerns from the international community towards Halal Regulation, particularly related to the mechanism for mutual recognition of halal certificates between Indonesia and other countries, as well as the scope of products that are subject to (or excluded from) Halal Regulations.

According to him, if this issue is not addressed, it could potentially trigger unwanted disruptions in international relations and trade, especially in relation to Indonesia.

“My team at the Office of the Special Staff of the President makes this a priority for us to ensure that the policies mandated by this law can be implemented without disrupting trade relations. I hope this event can facilitate and discuss inputs, as well as accommodate solutions related to the issues in halal certification regulations,” he remarked. (Office of Presidential Staff of Diaz Hendropriyono/UN) (EST/UN)