The journey of the Institute for the Study of Food, Medicines, and Cosmetics of the Indonesian Ulema Council (LPPOM MUI) is a historical record of the service of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in the halal field.
This was conveyed by the Chairman of MUI, K.H. Miftachul Akhyar, at the 33rd Tasyakur Milad LPPOM MUI event on January 25, 2022. Since 33 years ago, precisely on January 6, 1989, the MUI formed the MUI LPPOM in response to the government's request for the MUI to be actively involved in alleviating social turmoil as excesses over the circulation of the lard issue.
"The age of 33 years is certainly not a short time for an institution that is given a fairly heavy mandate. With all its limitations, LPPOM MUI carries out the mandate of voluntary inspection of product halalness, until the typical halal certification in Indonesia continues to develop as it is today," said Kiai Akhyar.
Over time, he continued, the government issued a policy in the halal sector through Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantees. The law, which was updated with the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, changed the halal certification regime from what was originally voluntary to mandatory.
"We are grateful that LPPOM MUI as a Halal Inspection Agency has been able to adapt very well. Regulatory demands that require LPPOM MUI to synergize with all parties have been carried out properly. The demands of business actors so that LPPOM MUI can provide integrated services that are fast, accurate and efficient are also answered by LPPOM MUI by developing a service system that makes it easier for business actors," said Kiai Akhyar.
To answer all these demands, LPPOM MUI innovates to improve product halal inspection services. One of them is supported by very adequate halal laboratory equipment. In fact, currently LPPOM MUI has improved the latest halal laboratory services, namely the chemical and microbiology laboratory which was inaugurated today in conjunction with the 33rd anniversary of LPPOM MUI.
Kiai Akhyar also emphasized that LPPOM MUI as one of the leading Halal Inspection Agencies in Indonesia, must be able to contribute significantly in supporting the government's efforts in making Indonesia the world's halal center.
"In the midst of a very wide field of halal service, LPPOM MUI needs to establish cooperation and partnerships with various groups, so that the goal of making Indonesia the world's halal center can be achieved," said Kiai Akhyar.
This is also to answer the demands of suaha perpetrators and provide protection to Indonesian consumers who are predominantly Muslim who always have to pay attention to the halalness of products that must be consumed according to religious teachings.
