Airlangga Visits MUI, Explains RI–US ART Will Not Disrupt Halal Assurance

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto held a special meeting with the leadership of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to explain that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesia and the United States will not undermine halal standards or the halal certification obligations for US-origin products entering Indonesia.

The meeting followed a critical note from MUI, which argued that Articles 2.8, 2.9 and 2.22 of the agreement, which generally govern the entry of American imports into Indonesia, conflict with existing laws and regulations because they do not guarantee halal for consumers.

In the meeting at MUI Central Office on Tuesday (3/3/2026), Airlangga said that the ART remains within the frame of compliance with Sharia and national regulations on Halal Product Assurance (JPH). The government ensures that the public’s interests and national economic sovereignty are safeguarded.

‘Halal is absolute, especially for food and beverages entering Indonesia,’ Airlangga said in a press release on Wednesday (4/3/2026).

Airlangga also emphasised that Indonesia and the United States have an MRA. Indonesia recognises halal certificates issued by foreign halal bodies (LHLN) in the US, provided that those bodies are recognised and accredited by BPJPH.

Currently, five LHLNs in the United States have a Recognition Agreement from BPJPH: IFANCA, AHF, ISA, HTO, and ISWA through the Halal Certification Department.

Meanwhile, around 38 countries have an MRA scheme with Indonesia. Under this mechanism, products from those countries that are certified halal by recognised bodies can enter Indonesia directly without double certification.

For agricultural products, particularly meat and slaughtering, Indonesia accepts slaughter practices from the US that comply with Islamic Law or the SMIIC standards under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

SMIIC standards have harmonised halal and metrology rules globally. BPJPH has conducted direct audits of halal bodies there to ensure compliance.

‘The government will continue to coordinate with the Indonesian Ulema Council as the main umbrella for halal in Indonesia,’ Airlangga insisted.