Indonesian President Joko Widodo urges caution to ensure coronavirus vaccine is halal

With more than 365,000 coronavirus cases and 12,000 deaths, the world’s most populous Muslim nation has struggled to contain its outbreak

Controversy over whether vaccines adhere to Islamic principles in 2018 stymied Indonesia’s public health response to a measles outbreak

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo visits an MRT station in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:34pm, 19 Oct 2020Updated: 1:05pm, 25 Nov 2020

Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Monday warned against rushing to roll-out vaccines, citing concerns over public awareness about whether they were halal.

With more than 365,000 coronavirus cases and 12,000 deaths, the world’s most populous Muslim nation has struggled to get its outbreak under control and the government has been racing to secure a supply of vaccines while still under development, drawing criticism from some epidemiologists for seeking a “silver bullet” solution before full vaccine efficacy and safety is known.

Senior ministers have indicated that emergency vaccine authorisation could be granted as early as November.

But the president signalled a more cautionary approach, warning against haste and urging clear public messaging about whether vaccines were halal, or permissible under Islam.

“I ask that this vaccine is not rushed because it’s so complex,” Widodo said ahead of a closed meeting.

“I want to ensure there is good preparation. On public communication, especially in relation to halal and haram, the price and quality.”

Indonesia has previously pledged to vaccinate more than 100 million people next year, but Widodo on Monday said that scale of inoculation in an archipelagic nation of 270 million would be uniquely challenging.

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