Minister asks MUI to give up Halal label

Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali persuaded the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) to hand over the authority on halal certification to the government, promising that the organization would not be required to provide accountability reports on proceeds it received from the halal-certification fees.

Recently the parliament of Indonesia has presented a bill which force many products to have halal label on them. In the current draft bill, halal certificates and labels would be required for three sectors; cosmetics, pharmaceuticals as well as food and beverages. It would also cover the ingredients and equipment used to make the products.