The governments of Indonesia and Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Halal Product Assurance (JPH) to mutually boost export and import volumes between the two countries. The MoU was signed by Muhammad Aqil Irham, Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) at Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), and Kadir Maideen, Chief Executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), in Singapore. Aqil Irham emphasized that the partnership between the two countries' halal authorities is essential given their long-standing collaboration across various sectors, including the trade of halal products. Both nations are also members of the MABIMS forum, which includes the Ministers of Religious Affairs from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The MoU aims to enhance, advance, and develop cooperation on halal product quality assurance, focusing on halal certification and halal logo standards based on equality and mutual benefit, in accordance with each country's national laws and regulations.
Aqil further mentioned that this agreement is particularly significant as it anticipates the first phase of mandatory halal certification in Indonesia, which will be implemented in October 2024. This mandate will apply to products such as food, beverages, raw materials, food additives, auxiliary products for food and beverages, as well as services and slaughtered products. Kadir Maideen echoed this sentiment, stating that the synergy between BPJPH and MUIS is a crucial step in strengthening the collaboration between the two institutions. The partnership ensures that halal products are consistently certified to high standards, which is vital for guaranteeing the availability and quality of halal products for consumers.
