Muslims protest 'halal' label

JAKARTA: The Muslim Consumers Foundation (YLKM) has threatened to file a class action lawsuit against the ministry of religious affairs if it goes ahead with its plan to label halal food with stickers.

The foundation also called on the government to revoke Ministerial Decree No. 518/2001 on the use of stickers, saying the move would only burden consumers with higher prices for the products.

"Indonesian consumers are already hard-pressed as prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed following the fuel price hike," YLKM Chairman Bambang S.L. said on Tuesday.

The foundation particularly objected to aspects of the decree which obliged manufacturers to use halal stickers on their products, arguing that a company might have to make additional investments on sticker making.

"Halal labeling is important but utilizing stickers for labeling is unnecessary," Bambang said.

Earlier, a number of legislators demanded the ministry drop its plan to issue halal stickers, saying that the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) has been doing the job free of charge. -- JP