Makassar, S Sulawesi, Oct. 26 -- The Indonesian government has extended the deadline for mandatory halal certification for some micro and small businesses to 2028, MSME Minister Maman Abdurrahman said, citing President Prabowo Subianto's directive.

"The president asked us to postpone the deadline, which was October 18. He understands the concerns raised by many MSMEs," Maman said in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi Province, on Sunday.

He said MSMEs had not met certification targets, making an extension necessary. Many businesses were still struggling to prepare the required documents.

The government's free halal certification program, known as SEHATI, set a 2026 target of 1.35 million MSME certifications through the Halal Produ...