Ajinomoto not tainted with pork enzyme: BPPT

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and Masako, will continue to be withdrawn from the market as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)