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

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)