Politics · Indonesia · 4 hrs ago
Indonesia's MUI opposes delaying mandatory halal certification until 2028
Indonesia's government has delayed halal certification deadlines for several products and businesses until October 2028.
The change affects food and drink, slaughtered products, and categories including cosmetics, supplements and some medicines.
The Indonesian Ulema Council, known as MUI, opposes the delay, saying it could make it harder for halal products to gain market share.
The government says it made the change after considering the readiness of the national halal system and feedback from business and industry groups.
The new deadlines give businesses more time to prepare, including small and micro businesses and some overseas suppliers.
MUI says it will issue an official statement rejecting the delay after its meeting.
The government says it remains committed to halal product protections and will adjust related rules to match the revised schedule.
Indonesia’s MUI opposes the government’s decision to extend the phased introduction of mandatory halal certification until October 2028.
MUI official M. Cholil Nafis said the delay could make it harder to expand the market for halal products and could leave consumers uncertain about products’ halal status.
The government said it extended the timeline to allow more time to strengthen the national halal ecosystem and prepare those involved.
The requirement had originally been scheduled to start on 18 October 2026 under Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024.
The revised schedule applies to several product and business categories, with some deadlines set for 17 or 18 October 2028.
- Who
- Indonesia’s MUI, represented by M. Cholil Nafis, opposes the delay; the government extended the timeline.
- What
- The government extended the phased introduction of mandatory halal certification to October 2028.
- When
- The change was announced before MUI’s objections on 20 October 2026. The original start date was 18 October 2026.
- Where
- Indonesia.
- Why
- The government cited the readiness of the national halal ecosystem and input from business and industry associations. MUI said the delay could hinder halal-market growth and leave consumers without clarity about products’ halal status.
Indonesia’s MUI
Indonesian government
Reason for the timeline
Indonesia’s MUI
MUI says the halal certification requirement should not be delayed and that the relevant instruments are ready.
Indonesian government
The government says more time is needed to strengthen the ecosystem and prepare all parties.
Effects of postponement
Indonesia’s MUI
MUI says the delay could hinder market growth and leave consumers uncertain about halal status.
Indonesian government
The government says the adjustment will give businesses room to adapt and support effective implementation.
Indonesia’s halal certification law was enacted, according to Cholil.
Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024 set the requirement’s original phased start date for 18 October 2026.
The government said it would adjust the phased timeline after evaluating the halal ecosystem and receiving input from business and industry associations.
MUI official M. Cholil Nafis said MUI opposed the delay and would issue a formal position.
- Original start date
- 18 October 2026
- Revised deadlines
- 17 or 18 October 2028, depending on the category
- Government regulation
- Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024
- MUI representative
- M. Cholil Nafis
- Government official
- Susiwijono Moegiarso
2 sources
What people are saying
If halal is delayed, it becomes harder for us to pursue market share; that is the market impact.
In our view, everything is ready. All the instruments are ready, the auditors are ready, and there is even a dedicated agency.
Based on the evaluation and input from business and industry associations, the government considers it necessary to adjust the phased timeline to provide adequate room to strengthen the ecosystem and prepare all parties involved.