Jakarta, June 11 -- Despite being the most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has yet to tap its full potential to become a dominant producer within the global halal economy.

Halal products from Malaysia, Thailand, and even Brazil easily enter the domestic market, while Indonesia's own products still struggle to penetrate the halal export market significantly.

The government's Mandatory Halal policy, set for October 2026, aims to flip this situation. This move reinforces Indonesia's commitment to transforming itself from a mere spectator into a major player in the global halal industry.

In truth, this policy is not a sudden step. Its legal foundation is rooted in Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, which was later st...