Working Visit To Palembang, Erick Thohir Welcomed By Yalal Wathon's Song From Muslimat NU And Catholic Sisters

SOE Minister Erick Thohir during a working visit to Palembang and was greeted by the choir of the Yalal Wathon song sung by Muslimat NU with Catholic Sisters. (Special)

JAKARTA - There is something unique about the working visit of the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, in Palembang. He was greeted with the song Yalal Wathon sung by Muslimat NU and the Catholic Sisters who served in Palembang.

"We are extraordinary when we see NU Muslim women and their sisters singing Yalal Wathon together, which has such a deep meaning for our nationality. Don't be shy to rise up. Our nation has been divided for too long. Natural resources and markets are taken by foreign nations for economic growth and their employment. Finally, we are trapped in an economic gap," said Erick during the NU Muslim Gathering in Palembang City at Campus 3 of the Muqimus Sunnah Islamic Boarding School in Palembang, South Sumatra, Sunday, June 19.

Erick was so impressed with the event, which was not only attended by thousands of NU Muslims, but a number of Catholic nuns were also present and sang the song Yalal Wathon.

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said, SOEs continue to strive to be a balancer for the Indonesian economy. Through the people's and people's economy program, continued Erick, BUMN wants to raise the economic potential of the people and the people.

Erick Thohir said Indonesia should be able to optimize natural resources and large markets for economic growth and the welfare of its own people. Erick does not want the economy of the people and the people as well as education to become second class in his own country.

The government through SOEs, continued Erick, is also committed to helping the community. Erick gave an example of the government's decision not to increase the price of Pertalite fuel when the price of fuel around the world is increasing. Even when a pandemic occurs, the government provides free health services and vaccinations for the community.

"I am fighting sincerely so that the SOEs are healthy. Previously, the profit was only Rp. 13 trillion in 2020, after being repaired, the SOEs who were corrupt were imprisoned, now (2021) the profit is Rp. 126 trillion," said Erick.

According to Erick, Indonesia must take advantage of the momentum of economic growth which is growing at five percent every year. Erick doesn't want positive trends to only turn people into spectators.

Therefore, said Erick, BUMN is committed to promoting NU's economic independence. According to Erick, NU has a vital role in being the foundation for the nation's economy and education.

"Therefore, we, SOEs, have signed 250 collaborations so that NU has an economic engine and God willing, the final plan is to have a pilot project. This is all for the NU economy to be more independent," he said.

Erick Thohir conveyed that NU's support was very important in realizing the people's economy. So far, continued Erick, Indonesia is a country with the world's largest consumption of the halal industry, but it is not included in the top ten producers of the world's halal industry. Erick admitted that he was sad to see this considering that Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world. In fact, countries such as the US to Brazil are included in the top ten halal producers in the world.

"Therefore, for the first time in the history of this republic, we have Bank Syariah Indonesia with total assets of IDR 360 trillion and immediately number seven of the largest bank in Indonesia. market for other nations. As a big nation, we must not only become foam, but must be waves in the world economic arena," continued the General Chair of the Economic Community.

Erick said SOEs also have a PNM Mekaar program that can be used by NU Muslims. This program already has 12.7 million customers who are business people throughout Indonesia. During the pandemic, continued Erick, the Mekaar program was able to create at least seven million new jobs.

"I also see that there are many NU Muslims who have become customers of PNM Meekar. The program that I encourage is not because I am currently serving as the Minister of BUMN, but also continues when I am no longer the Minister of BUMN," continued Erick.

Erick said that it was no longer the time for good programs to be stopped just because of a change of leader. "I want to see later, try the next SOE minister if he dares to stop the Mekaar program with 12.7 million customers, all of them have a demonstration with women because the target has not been completed. The target is to reach 20 million women in villages," said Erick.

The Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Management (PWNU) South Sumatra (Sumsel) KH Amiruddin Nahrawi or Cak Amir expressed his gratitude for the presence of Erick Thohir who is also the Chairman of the NU's One Century Harlah Committee.

Cak Amir assessed that Erick was a person who took sides with the people's economy. This is illustrated by a number of programs carried out by SOEs to encourage economic independence from Islamic boarding schools to MSMEs in villages. Cak Amir assessed that Erick was the right choice to lead the Indonesian nation in the future.

"I asked, do you think if Pak Erick becomes president in 2024, do you agree or not?" asked Cak Amir who was greeted with approval from the Muslimat present. But the reaction of Erick, who is also the Chairman of the Islamic Economic Community, only answered with a smile.

Cak Amir also invited the Muslimat to pray for the former President of Inter Milan to be able to run for president in 2024. With the chanting of the badr prayer, Cak Amir and the Muslimat together prayed

.