Country: Indonesia
Organisation Name: The Assessment and Research Institute of Halalan Thayyiban, Muhammadiyah
Started in the Year: 2020
Position: General Manager
Website: www.lphkhtmuhammadiyah.or.id
Personal Introduction:
I was born in Aceh, 23 August 1969. I have 4 Children, 2 girls and 2 boys. I am a mother with 4 lovely children. My background education is Food Technology. I was involved in the Halal field since 1994, after graduating from my University, moreover in 2002 I was also involved in food safety audit and training.
I chose food technology after graduating from high school, this choice was made because I saw past events related to practices in the food industry. There was uncertainty about the protection of Muslim consumers to get Halal product. For Muslims, Halal products are not an option but a necessity. At that time the case of alleged lard in dairy products in 1988.
Professional Introduction:
Activities in Halal for me is not just work, career or business Halal is part of my existence to implement the Kauniyah knowledge that I learned in food technology related to the Halal rules in the Quran. Moreover I discover the incomparable beauty of God’s rules regarding food. Not only for the believers but also universal. Ya Ayyuhannas. kullu mimma fil ardhi Halalan thayyiban.
The clues made me curious to know more and addicted. Finally, I made the decision that I will never leave this field. Halal is my life, my way.
Furthermore Halal in a broad meaning is not only in the physical realms and material, but also involves ecosystems, such as business ethics (integrity, fairness), funding, and environment (circular economics) to produce a sustainable business. Insya Allah I will keep working in this field.
In 2014 I was resigned from LP POM (After 20 years in LP POM) and working as halal and food safety consultant independently. In 2020 the Director of LPH KHT Muhammadiyah (he was as a former Director of LP POM MUI) asked me to join with him in this new organization belongs to Muhammadiyah.
For me joining one of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia, especially in halal activities is truly a calling that cannot be refused. One of the trigger of joining in this organization because of government issued the omnibuslaw and it is an impact to halal implementation in Indonesia.
LPH KHT Muhammadiyah is one of Halal Inspection Body that already got approval from Halal Competent Autorithy in Indonesia, BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency). Policy of Muhammadiyah regarding halal inspection body, we only have one halal inspection body located in the central and its representatives in particular location where Muhammadiyah Universities exist. Beside Halal Inspection Body, we have 18 Halal Centers (this numbers are still growing, due to we have 164 universities under Muhammadiyah and Aisyiah’s umbrella ) that embedded to the Muhammadiyah and Aisyiah Universities and 15 of them are already registered in BPJPH as Halal Product Process Assistance Institution (Lembaga Pendampingan Proses Produk Halal)
Interview Questions:
What inspired you to start your career in the Islamic Economy?
I joined LPH KHT Muhammadiyah since in 2020. when omnibuslaw is enacted the existence of the omnibus law led me to join LPH KHT Muhammadiyah. The omnibus law has an impact on the law of Halal Product Assurance, I related to Muslim consumer protection against Halal self-declaration article. That time, we Muhammadiyah prepared the scheme of Halal self to declare in which we called them as Ikrar Halal Mandiri. We kept developing this scheme and changed the name as I-Halal Mu. The reason behind of establishing this scheme, for 2 issues , Muslim consumer protection with the idea of Halal self declare stated in Omnibus law, how to assist the micro small enterprises to achieve and get their Halal product assurance for their products. However the scheme of I-HalalMu, facing big challenges to be developed due to various considerations. To prevent confusion with 2 same name (Ikrar Halal BPJPH) but different activities, ikrar Halal Muhammadiyah change to I-HalalMu.
Scheme of I-HalalMu keep developing based on the principles Integrity, Sustainability and Value (ISV). Furthermore we plan to add this concept in our halal inspection process as our added value.
What were the challenges you had to overcome in the initial stages of starting your career?
Actually, this scheme already running for some FBOs. But then the internal attestation from Muhammadiyah could not be used to have formal recognition from the government in this case BPJPH. So the FBOs have to do another registration and steps. It seems to waste their time. So for this reason, for awhile this scheme is postponed for some time.
What is the most important thing you feel anyone needs to do to build a successful career in the Islamic Economy?
Halal Industry is part of Islamic Economy. How to build the Halal ecosystem in the supply chain that wont focus only to the movement of materials/products but also how to operate the business with integrity, fairness, (no riba) transparency, right skill set that can build the holistic Halal Industry furthermore it is creating prosperous and fair economic for people around the globe.
What were the most important learning experiences you would like to share?
| Leadership with integrity, fairness, competence will create a better ecosystem for Halal industry, at the end we will see the baraqah life based on Syariah Islam. |
Halal Rules as mentioned in our holy book is universal, even though the fulfilment of Halal product for Muslim is a need, but for sure Halal product can be considered as quality product for other consumer. I m working as managing Halal inspection body , nowadays I found several obstacles that can threaten the existence of institutions to degrade the Halal inspection process. In this condition there is a threat of loss of Halal guarantee protection for Muslim consumers.
What advice would you give aspiring leaders in the Islamic Economy?
Leadership with integrity, fairness, competence will create a better ecosystem for Halal industry, at the end we will see the baraqah life based on Syariah Islam. I want to end my points with my quote, Halal is not only our business but our responsibility.
