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 Ajinomoto products withdrawn from the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