Why not export Ajinomoto?

Why not export Ajinomoto?

From Suara Karya

Although President Abdurrahman Wahid has stressed that Ajinomoto's products are halal (religiously rightful), I have more confidence in the instruction issued by the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) to the effect that Ajinomoto products are haram (religiously forbidden). As a muslim, of course I will obey the guidance given by a legitimate Islamic institution like the MUI, rather than taking the personal opinion of the president although he happens to be a kiai (a venerated scholar/teacher of Islam).

I don't know what ulterior motive is behind the president's sudden statement that Ajinomoto's products are halal although it is based on scientific considerations despite the haram label that MUI has slapped on the products. MUI must have come to the conclusion that Ajinomoto's products are haram after a careful religious study based on correct Islamic teachings.

I can only hope that the pros and cons over the Ajinomoto case can be settled amicably. Ajinomoto products withdrawn from the market must not be distributed again. The products must either be destroyed, which will inflict huge losses to the company, or, in my opinion, they should be exported to countries where being haram or halal will not matter.

If Ajinomoto is allowed to resume production, serious care must be taken so that the products must be genuinely halal. Indonesia is a country where muslims make up an overwhelming majority of the population. Therefore the question of being halal or haram is very important to a large part of the Indonesian population.

H. SOLEH HAMINUDDIN

Jakarta