REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Director of Food, Drug and Cosmetics Assessment Agency in Indonesian Council of Ulamas (LPPOM MUI), Lukman Hakim said that halal certification would protect domestic entrepreneurs in global market competition. Local consumers will benefit from certification which recognized by World Trade Organization (WTO).

"The implementation of ASEAN Economic Community in 2015  makes us difficult to halt foreign products flooding Indonesia. Hence, halal certification helps our own products for Muslims," Hakim said recently. 

Halal certification is also a strategic effort to serve sharia compliant food and beverages. Hakim urged government to implement halal certification through product labeling. 

"We do not want to be half heartedly in protecting Muslims," he said then adding that halal logo usually could boost the products sales. 

Currently House of Representative has not passed the bill on halal certification. Government and MUI still differ on methods of the certification. Government still considers the certification should be voluntarily while MUI expects the certification is obligatory.

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