Prof. Izza Mafruhah, as the Vice-Dean of FEB UNS, mentioned in her opening remark that the halal industry had become a prima donna in the industrial world. The sharia economy in Indonesia is not only developing in the banking sector but also in the industrial sector.

“Many creative industries are moving towards the halal industry. For example, in fashion, medicines, tourism, culinary, and others,” Prof. Izza explained on Monday (6/12/2021).

The halal industry is by no means new in Indonesia. Many efforts have been taken to create an exciting image for the industry, with halal industrial areas implementing a halal process in their production process. The potential of the halal industry is increasing, as Junadi Marki explained that the potential covers five aspects, Muslim population, export potential, food and beverage sector industry prospect, exporter, and halal product market.

Junadi explanation was also supported by the data from the State of Global Islamic Economy Report 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 that reported growth in several halal industry sectors in Indonesia. For example, Indonesia is ranked 4th in the Top 10 Halal Food 2020/2021, a great improvement considering that Indonesia was not in the Top 10 Halal Food in the previous period. Indonesia was also ranked 6th in the Top 10 Pharma & Cosmetic and 5th in the Top 10 Media & Recreation. Improvement is also observed in the spread of halal industry from Micro and Small Industry (IMK) with 2.31 million in 2019 (52.8%), of which 1.68 million units are food and beverages industries (38.4%). A similar trend is also observed in Large and Medium Industry (IBS) Halal with 11,182 units (35.6%) in 2019, with 7,712 units running in the food and beverages sector (24.6 %). Halal businesses are mostly operating from West Java, East Java, and Noth Maluku. The industry is also supported with Law No 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantee.

“Since 2014, the halalness of product, which initially voluntary become compulsory. Product halalness is guaranteed by the state under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH). In its development, halal becomes a program of priority and concern from the state,” Junadi Marki stated.

The second speaker, Dr. Falikhatun, discussed the halal industry in the tourism sector and emphasized the importance of the halal industry vision that has not been determined by Indonesia. She also mentioned that a similar vision has been determined by countries such as Thailand with its “Global Halal Kitchen,” Japan with “Halal Industry as Key Contributor in 2020,” and South Korea with “Key Destination for Halal Tourism.”

“The halal vision should exist and be used as a guideline in implementing future programs, especially that Indonesia’s population is mostly Muslims,” Dr. Falikhatun stated.

Further, Dr. Falikhatun explained the definition of Islamic Tourism to facilitate people’s comprehension and operationalization of the term, considering the absence of a comprehensive definition in the existing literature that accommodates the factors in the halal tourism sector. Dr. Falikhatun stated that halal tourism is a travel activity using transportation, consumption, and accommodation to tourism destinations that meet the Islamic sharia to improve one’s values before Allah SWT.

She added that four categories are correlated with halal tourism: transportation, consumption, accommodation, and tourism destination, which all need to be integrated.

“Halal tourism industry has the wide opportunity because, in reality, the Indonesian Muslim population has implemented halalan thayyiban as a part of their lifestyle. Halalan thayyiban has become the DNA of Indonesian Muslims, including in dressing. Indonesia is also a big Muslim market,” she explained.

However, despite the opportunities, challenges appear during the pandemic. These challenges include the decrease in people purchasing ability, especially in the middle and lower classes. There is also a lack of government regulation that could improve halal tourism quality, particularly in terms of transportation certified foods and beverages, certified accommodation (hotels and lodging), and tourism destinations that meet Fatwa DSN MUI number 108 of 2016. Therefore, stronger and more government support is needed to develop the halal tourism sector. Humas UNS

Reporter: Rangga P. A.
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post FEB UNS Guest Lecture Discussed the Prospect and Challenges of Halal Industry in Indonesia appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.

He delivered the message in the Guest Lecture “The Role and Challenges for MK in Achieving Democratic Law and Politics” held online and offline from FH UNS Hall and through the Zoom Cloud Meeting, Friday (3/12/2021).

“I reminded the Law students, never make law your commodity when you work as an advocate, notary, and other careers in the future. Do not put law practice on sale!” Prof. Arief stated.

Prof. Arief shared the reminder because, he explained, the legal system in Indonesia has its source on the God Almighty that is in line with the theocracy theory applied by Indonesia. The theory promoted by Thomas Aquino and Agustinus bases its legal system on God’s sovereignty. Meaning that fundamentally, a theocracy state belief that a country was established because of God, and therefore, their government must be run, and the law is developed by upholding God.

According to Prof. Arief, proof that Indonesia is a theocracy state can be observed in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution that written: “By the grace of God Almighty…..”

Recognition of God is also written in the Preamble of every Law and MK ruling read in the proceeding. Prof. Arief believed that the recognition of God in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution makes Indonesia be a liberated country and survive with its diversity to this day.

“Thus, the source of law in Indonesia is not secular. The desire of the Indonesian people to be free and establish a country was achieved with the Grace of God Almighty. This is a religious nation so that I stated, the source of power in Indonesia is from the theocracy theory,” he added.

He gave an example of his time serving as the Chairman of MK in 2015-2017. Prof. Arief admitted that every time they read MK rulings in proceeding with the other eight MK judges, they also asked for forgiveness from God if their rulings had any shortcomings.

“My personal experience and Chairman of MK, when reading the ruling, in my heart, because I am a Muslim, always asked for forgiveness and apologized if the nine judges in MK in deciding, make a mistake,” he concluded. Humas UNS

Reporter: Y.C.A. Sanjaya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

The post MK Judge in FH UNS Guest Lecture: Never Put Law for Sale appeared first on Universitas Sebelas Maret.