Visited by the Minister of Finance Purbaya, PBNU Chairman Gus Yahya asked for guidance from the Mine Management Cooperative

Chairman of the General Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Yahya Cholil Staquf and Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa//ANTARA/Sean Filo Muhamad

JAKARTA - The General Manager of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) requested a directive from the Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa for the establishment of the Koperasi Produsen Bangkit Usaha Mandiri Nusantara (KPBUMN), as a follow-up to the government's provisions regarding mining concessions to religious organizations.

"The hope is the direction from the Ministry of Finance, because there are many things that all have to follow the state financial regime. And we need guidance from the Ministry of Finance so that we don't make mistakes," said PBNU General Chair (Ketum) Yahya Cholil Staquf on the sidelines of an audience with Minister of Finance Purbaya at the PBNU Central Office, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 22, reported by ANTARA.

Gus Yahya, his nickname, said this direction was needed so that all things done by PBNU related to the management of mining concessions were targeted and in accordance with the provisions set by the state.

"The most important thing from the Ministry of Finance is that we expect is guidance related to all of that. Meanwhile, for concrete projects, of course, cooperation with other ministries," he said.

Regarding the mining concession, Gus Yahya said, PBNU collaborated with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) so that it could run smoothly.

"But to build the overall structure, especially related to things concerning finances and financing, of course we very much expect guidance from the Ministry of Finance," he continued.

Gus Yahya also revealed that his party was open to collaborating on other programs with the government.

"Like yesterday with the Ministry of Health, we agreed to cooperate to realize the free health check program, (also) for the water health and sanitation program in pesantren-pesantren, and so on," said Gus Yahya.

Responding to this, the Minister of Finance, Purbaya, said that his party was ready to deploy various institutions such as the Government Investment Center (PIP) and PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI) to provide credit that is lighter than the market.

"I will see later whether it can work with the NU Cooperative, if possible we will pursue it," said Minister of Finance Purbaya.