Viral Ban on Non-Halal Meat Sales in Medan: City Government Responds

A video showing protests against a Mayoral Circular Letter (SE) alleged to ban the sale of non-halal meat in Medan went viral on social media. The Medan city government has denied any such ban, stating the directive merely regulates the location of sales.

Several viral videos related to protests against the purported ban on non-halal meat sales originated from various community organisations in Medan. These groups argued that the alleged prohibition constituted discrimination against pork traders.

In response, Muhammad Sofyan, Assistant for Government Affairs and Public Welfare at the Medan City Secretariat, explained that there had been a misinterpretation of Medan Mayoral Circular Letter Number 571/1540, dated 13 February 2026, concerning the arrangement of locations and waste management for non-halal meat sales within the Medan city area.

“The issuance of Mayoral Circular Letter Number 1540 was not intended to prohibit residents from conducting their activities, particularly trading, and more specifically trading in non-halal commodities. There is no intention whatsoever from the Medan City Government in that direction,” Sofyan stated, as reported by detikSumut on Sunday (22/2/2026).

Sofyan noted that the circular letter aims to regulate designated locations specifically for non-halal meat traders.

Meanwhile, Citra Capah, Acting Head of the Medan City Cooperatives, SMEs, Industry and Trade Agency, also affirmed that the Mayoral Circular Letter does not constitute a ban but rather a reorganisation of non-halal meat sales in Medan.

“Regarding the circular letter issued by the Mayor of Medan some time ago, we need to emphasise that it is not a prohibition on the sale of four-legged meat, or non-halal meat, or any other type of meat — it is not a ban. Rather, it is an organisational measure,” Citra said.