Ajinomoto told to use new logo under new 'halal' label

SURABAYA (JP): An Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) official stressed that MUI would not reverse its decree that Ajinomoto's taste enhancer is not allowable under Islamic law, while suggesting the company change its logo once its new product is deemed halal.

"Personally, I suggest that the taste enhancer producer use a new logo after it gets a new halal label from MUI," KH Masduki Mahfudl, the chairman of the East Java branch of MUI, said on the sidelines of a meeting of the East Java branch of Nahdlatul Ulama at the Tunjungan Hotel here on Thursday.

Masduki advised Ajinomoto to request a halal, or allowable under Islamic law, label for new products it processes without pig enzymes.

The company said it would use mameno instead of pig enzymes in its taste enhancer after a meeting with MUI and the Ministry of Health in Jakarta on Nov. 23.

If the company uses a substance that is halal it can request a halal certificate from MUI, and then the company can change its logo to assure consumers the product is allowed, Masduki said.

In his capacity as an MUI official, Masduki said the council fully understood the scientific explanation that Ajinomoto's taste enhancer was allowed. "But the scientific point of view can be different from the religious point of view. Pig enzymes are seriously haram (not allowed) according to Islam. This is the religious ruling."

Indonesian Ulemas Council head Umar Shihab asserted on Thursday that "MUI will allow Ajinomoto to reapply for a halal label for its products as long as it is done according to the existing procedures".

"MUI will be fair and welcome Ajinomoto if it wants to apply for a halal label ... only if the product passes certain tests, preconditions and follows the existing regulations," Umar told The Jakarta Post.

"It's up to the company to market its new product under the same name or with a new brand.

"Actually, the matter will not be that big if Ajinomoto sticks to its promise it made at a meeting on Dec. 19 last year."

In the meeting, the company said it would recall its taste enhancer from the market after admitting in November it used pig enzymes in the product, Umar said.

He also called on people to put an end to the dispute and not to resort to protests or demonstrations, especially concerning President Abdurrahman Wahid's statement that Ajinomoto's taste enhancer is halal.

"There are times when Muslim leaders have different interpretations on fiqh (Islamic law). There is no need to oppose MUI's decree with Gus Dur's opinion. Actually the matter has already been resolved and we leave it to the people to decide whether to consume (Ajinomoto's taste enhancer) or not."

Legal proceedings

In a related development, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf said in Jakarta on Thursday that legal proceedings against seven top executives of Ajinomoto would continue, despite the President's statement that the company's taste enhancer is halal.

"The President's opinion is input to the legal process," Saleh said at his office.

He said the police were investigating the company for violations of Consumer Protection Law No. 8/1999 based on a complaint filed by the Indonesian Consumers Foundation.

"The police believe that MUI is the most competent body to decide whether a product is halal or not," he said.

Anyone violating the law could face a maximum punishment of five years in jail or a Rp 2 billion fine.

Seven Ajinomoto executives, including two Japanese, are in police custody as the investigation continues.

The company's technical director Yosuko Koyama, quality control manager Haryono, production manager Hartono and factory manager Hary Saksono are being held at the East Java Police Headquarters. Also in police custody are the firm's president Matsuo Arakawa, general manager Cokorda Bagus Sudarta and senior manager Yusi R. Purba.

The firm's vice president, Yashusi Oda, was arrested on Monday by East Java Police, but was released because of a lack of evidence.

"To make the investigation more effective, the Surabaya detainees will soon be transferred to Jakarta," Saleh said.

Lawyer Amir Syamsuddin confirmed on Thursday that he would represent the seven Ajinomoto executives. (nur/edt/jun/sur)