Central Java Provincial Government Prepares IDR 300 Billion For Religious Teacher Incentives In 2026

JAKARTA - The Central Java Provincial Government (Central Java Provincial Government) continues to show its commitment to improving the welfare of religious educators.

In 2026, the Central Java Provincial Government plans to increase the budget allocation for religious teachers to around Rp. 300 billion, an increase from Rp. 250 billion by 2025. This increase is expected to strengthen the role of religious teachers in building character and the value of tolerance in society.

Deputy Governor of Central Java Taj Yasin Maimoen in Semarang, Sunday, said that the incentives were given to all religious teachers, without distinguishing the background of belief.

"Incentives for religious teachers are given to all religious teachers, both Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism," said Taj Yasin.

He said that during the last six years the Central Java Provincial Government has consistently distributed budget support to religious teachers and memorizers of holy books from various religions.

The figure who is familiarly called Gus Yasin emphasized that the award was not only intended for memorizers of the Qur'an, but also for memorizers of other religious scriptures as a form of respect for diversity.

"In Central Java, we not only reward Al-Quran memorizers, but also other religious holy books as a form of tolerance," he said.

However, Gus Yasin admitted that most of the award recipients had been memorizers of the Qur'an.

"We give a direct award, without a proposal, Rp. 1 million per person, as a form of appreciation from the Central Java Provincial Government. In fact, there is a hafiz from Papua that expresses gratitude and gratitude," he said.

Based on data from the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Central Java, the number of recipients of incentives for religious teachers in 2025 reached 225,187 people for Islam, 4,430 for Christians, 475 for Catholics, 180 for Hindus, 545 for Buddhists, and 13 for Confucian.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the Central Java Provincial Government Rabithah Alawiyah, Taufiq Abdulqadir Assegaf, appreciated the steps taken by the Central Java Provincial Government which were considered a real example of the government's role in strengthening religious and moral values of the community.

"The efforts made by the Central Java Provincial Government are concrete examples of the government's role in empowering people based on religious values and morality," he said.

He added that the policy in favor of religious teachers and memorizers of this holy book is in line with the vision of the Rabithah Alawiyah organization, and is worthy of being implemented in other areas.

"This program is in line with Rabithah Alawiyah's mission to strengthen the role of ulama and religious leaders as guides for the people in the midst of the challenges of the times," he said.