LPPOM MUI Releases "Halal MUI" Application Update and QR Code Scanner for Digital Payments

The Institute for the Study of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics (LPPOM) of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) released an updated version of the MUI Halal application and integrated the QR code with the iCash application for digital payments. This innovation was released in the framework of the MUI's 30th anniversary.

Deputy Director of LPPOM MUI Sumunar Jati explained that the latest version of the Halal MUI application is equipped with an updated search feature for halal restaurants and a barcode scanner to check the halal label in a product. All information provided by this application is connected to the MUI database and consumers can directly access it. In total there are more than 700 thousand products recorded.

"We want to make it easier for people who want to find halal places to eat. We will continue to increase the number of [restaurants]. We follow the millennial trend to take advantage of this facility," he explained, yesterday (16/1).

In addition, the application is also equipped with online halal certification registration for business owners who will later be connected to the site Cerol-SS23000 (Online Certification). It is also equipped with a more responsive UI/UX display update, and the LPPOM MUI call center.

In relation to halal certification, Sumurnar continued, his party also updated Cerol-SS23000 to the latest version 3.0. In this site, the consumer experience in registering will be easier, as well as safe. There are tabulation menus, pop up forms, scheduling and monitoring that real-time.

In previous versions, this feature update was not present. The business owner must repeatedly match the schedule with the LPPOM MUI auditor to visit his place of business. This process takes a long time, so it is not effective for both parties.

It guarantees that with a site update, business owners can get a halal certificate within 48 days. According to Sumunar, the registration process will be shortened in the future. The whole process now does not use any paper, it's just that in issuing a halal certificate it still has to be physically printed.

LPPOM MUI admits that they have not found the right method to convince the management consisting of ulama that using digital technology will not reduce the legality of a certificate.

"About a week to 10 days out of a total of 48 days [the registration process] actually took a long time at the kyai's signature stage. It took a long time there. Of course we wanted to improve our service to the industry, so it took time to convince them. That's why we are still looking for it. proper method."

QR code integration with iCash

Another innovation announced by LPPOM MUI is the integration of the QR Code Halal Resto version 2.0 with the iCash (Islamic Cash) application for digital payments. This QR code is actually owned by every restaurant that has registered its business with LPPOM MUI and must be displayed on the front of the restaurant.

However, its function is only limited to providing information, promotion, and validation of halal-certified product authentication, especially for the restaurant category.

In total there are more than 5 thousand restaurants that already have the QR code. However, according to Sumunar, implementation with iCash will begin in February 2019. The first phase starts with restaurants with large chains, such as Solaria, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut.

"The system is ready, it just needs to be connected with restaurants. Hopefully next month consumers will be able to make transactions using iCash."

Sumunar reasoned that his party preferred iCash as a payment platform than other applications because this application has the same spirit. Namely to re-socialize sharia-based local products. He also believes that iCash will be well received in the field.

Consumers need to download the iCash application and scan the QR code in the restaurant for payment. This application was released by BNI Syariah. Not only for payments at restaurants, iCash can be used for PPOB, insurance, vouchers, payments for halal certification, alms, and other financial products provided by Islamic banks.

Since 2012 LPPOM MUI has issued 65.116 halal certificates for 55.626 companies. In total, there are 688.615 products that have been labeled halal.