President Jokowi: Pesantren Bill is Form of Gov’t attention to Pesantren

President Jokowi pays a visit to Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School, Jombang Regency, Tuesday (18/12)

Concluding his working visit on the first day in East Java Province, Tuesday (18/12), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo paid a visit to the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School (pesantren), Jombang Regency to conduct silaturahmi (cordial meetings) with the kiai (Islamic teacher) and santri (Islamic boarding school student).

In his remarks, President Jokowi also touched on the bill on pesantren and religious education. According to him, the Government will continue to push for the discussion of the bill to be completed soon.

“This morning, I received a report from Minister of Religious Affairs that it will be discussed at least at the end of this month, right, Minister? We will immediately discuss it with the House of Representatives (DPR) again,” said the President.

President Jokowi added that the bill constitutes a form of Government attention to pesantren in Indonesia which are approximately 28,000. He also explained other reasons why this bill must be resolved immediately.

“We hope there will be recognition of the education system in the pesantren by the state, particularly the equality of its graduate,” the President said.

Not only that, the President also revealed that the Law on Pesantren will become a legal base for the budget for pesantren.

“The most important thing is budgeting. There is a legal base, so it can be funded by the State Budget, or Regional Budget. The legal base already exists, namely the Law on Pesantren,” he said.

In addition, in the presence of the santri, President Jokowi also explained about vocational training centers that will be built in the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in 2019. Later, the vocational training centers built will be tailored to the interests and the needs of pesantren.

“What is the use of vocational training centers in this pesantren? To improve the skills of the santri. I asked Ibu Mafudoh what is needed here? If you are interested in computer and IT, then we will provide it; or Muslim fashion, you will deal with garment,” he said.

Also present accompanying the President on the occasion were Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and East Java Governor Soekarwo, as well as the great grandson of K.H. Wahab Hasbullah, M. Romahurmuziy. (Bureau of Press, Media, & Information/EN)

Translated by: Muhardi

Edited by: Mia Medyana B.