Ajinomoto not tainted with pork enzyme: BPPT

JAKARTA (JP): Echoing President Abdurrahman Wahid's statement, government scientists concluded on Wednesday that monosodium glutamate (MSG) taste enhancers produced by PT Ajinomoto Indonesia do not contain pig enzymes.

Wahono, deputy chief of industrial technology at the Agency for the Development and Assessment of Technology (BPPT), told a media briefing here that the latest tests, conducted separately by the Directorate General for Food and Drug Control (POM) at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and his agency found that porcine enzymes, used to produce MSG, were not present in the final product.

"Based on scientific principles of enzymatic reactions, porcine enzymes will not be part of bactosoytone (a medium used to cultivate bacteria for MSG). Therefore, porcine enzymes do not exist in the consumed MSG," Wahono read the conclusion to media.

The enzymes are only a catalyst and are not present in the end product, he confirmed.

However, both Wahono and POM director general Sampurno, who was also present at the press conference, did not wish to unveil when the tests were conducted.

The Indonesian Ulemas Council's (MUI) Food and Drug Analysis Body discovered evidence that since October last year Ajinomoto had used the porcine enzymes in place of beef-extracted polypeptone as a catalyst in its production process. The company admitted the finding, saying the replacement was chosen for economic reasons.

The finding has outraged Muslims, whose religion bans the consumption of pork or pig by-products.

Dismissing allegations that both BPPT and POM were justifying the President's remark, secretary to the state minister of research and technology Abdul Malik, who also spoke in the conference, said Abdurrahman made his statement based on several factors, including the results of a scientific investigations conducted by the two institutions.

Sampurno said, however, Ajinomoto products, as well as Sajiku and Masako, will continue to be withdrawn from the market as planned.

Separately, MUI chairman MA Sahal Mahfudz said that MUI would maintain its stance that Ajinomoto MSG was forbidden, or haram.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Homann Hotel in Bandung, Sahal said that it is up to the people to decide if they still trust MUI or not. "But we call on the people not to be confused in choosing which is correct, MUI, the official Islamic organization, or Gus Dur, the President who has a kyai background.

Also in Bandung, President Abdurrahman Wahid reiterated his controversial statement that Ajinomoto MSG was halal, arguing that he had a different point of view to the MUI.

Citing Islamic law, or Fiqh, he said that avoiding more trouble was best, in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

The President said that the recall of Ajinomoto's taste enhancer from the market would lead to the closure of its Mojerko factory.

"The closure of the factory will threaten foreign investment. We could lose US$1.3 billion in foreign investment in various businesses, and will face additional unemployment problems. Therefore, I prefer avoiding more trouble to bring good things."

Representative of Ajinomoto, Susetyanto, said that the company will stick to its plan to withdraw the tainted product as "the dispute has caused anger and disturbed the feelings of Muslims."

In Surabaya, police released Ajinomoto's Vice President Yasushi Oda from custody on Tuesday night.

"Mr. Oda is released due to lack of evidence. As he was only appointed to his position two months ago, he is not involved in handling the previous production process," head of East Java Police Chief Comr. Bambang Hendarso Danuri said.

About 100 laborers from Ajinomoto's factory in Mojokerto, East Java, also went to the East Java Police headquarters in Surabaya, demanding that police lift the factory ban and allow it to operate again.

Protests against Abdurrahman's remarks on the tainted product, however, took place in Padang, capital of West Sumatra, and Medan in North Sumatra.

"We urge people to stick to the MUI's order, which is not to consume this product or any by-product with pork essence in it," Yuen Karnova, spokesman of West Sumatra administration, said.

"Gus Dur must not over-react and believe the Japanese when they say that Ajinomoto is halal," Abdul Halim Harahap, leader of Al Jami'atul Washliyah group, told media during a protest on Jl. Sisingamangaraja in Medan on Wednesday.

In Yogyakarta, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, Amien Rais, suggested that the President and MUI meet as soon as possible to settle the controversy.

"I'm not defending any party, but this is very confusing. This is unbelievable," he said. (edt/nur/dja/swa/25/28/39)