REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDA ACEH — A vice presidential candidate KH Ma’ruf Amin highlighted the development of human resources in Indonesia during his meeting with some figures, ulema and leader of mass organizations in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, on Wednesday (Sept 19) night. He acknowledged that human resources can be developed among others in educational institution, such as Islamic boarding school (pesantren).

As incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s running mate, Kiai Ma'ruf wanted to bring aspiration of Islamic boarding school. He suggested the government to increase the allocation of State Budget (APBN) and Regional Budget (APBD), specifically for the enhancement and empowerment of Islamic boarding school.

Kiai Ma'ruf once proposed to Jokowi that pesantren should have around Rp10 trillion to Rp20 trillion from Rp400 trillion of educational budget from State Budget. He admitted that has proposed the idea to Jokowi before he was selected as vice presidential candidate.

"I suggested that there should be special APBN and APBD for Islamic boarding school,” Kiai Ma’ruf said.

As an ulema, Kiai Ma’ruf promised to guard Muslims, not only from  misguided aqidah and deviant ways of thinking. He did not want the people being trapped in poverty. Therefore, he would fight to reduce economic inequality in Indonesia.

“When I was active on the cultural path, I tried to do himayatul umm (guarding the people) and later if elected as vice president, I would continue to carry out the task,” Kiai Ma’ruf added.

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