Conglomerate Chairul Tanjung Reveals Ulama's Central Role In Awakening The Economy: We Are Majority, Government Must Take Sides

Conglomerate Chairul Tanjung. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Conglomerate Chairul Tanjung (CT) said that ulama have a very strategic role in efforts to revive the economy of the people and also Indonesia as a whole. According to him, a number of ulama who have significant influence can be the driving force for directing policies that are oriented to the interests of the wider community.

“The central role of the ulama and Kiai in the revival of the Indonesian economy is quite important through collaboration with the government. This is the key to the economic revival of the people. Of course, we cannot push this person forward without the government taking sides," he said at a seminar organized by Nahdlatul Ulama, Saturday, December 11.

CT added that partiality is something important in advancing the economy in Indonesia. This is because most of the productive activities in this country are dominated by people.

“We must encourage the government to take sides. It is natural for the government to side with the people, because we are the majority of all Indonesian people. If the people progress, the Indonesian nation will progress," he said.

"Well, here the role of the ulama is to encourage the government, because the government can make laws, make regulations, create institutions to side with us. So it doesn't depend on the government but encourages the government to take sides," he said.

In addition, economic progress cannot be separated from two other elements, namely the transformation of the people and the role of the business world.

“People also have to be able to transform, especially in their mindset, because otherwise, it will be very difficult to become an entrepreneur. The role of scholars is also important here how to provide direction and guidance that to reach the afterlife we also need the world. So, winning in this world will also win in the hereafter," he explained.

As for the business world, the CT Corps boss hopes that more religious leaders will emerge who will become important players in the national economy.

"We need more and more companies owned by the people so that from the start the goals and profits are used for the greatest benefit of all. These are all important collaboration factors for the economic revival of the people," concluded Chairul Tanjung.