NU Asked By Erick Thohir To Help Face Indonesia's Myriad Challenges

SOE Minister Erick Thohir (Photo via bumn.go.id)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir hopes that Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Islamic boarding schools will produce many entrepreneurs. He also hopes that NU can help Indonesia face a myriad of challenges.

"We encourage Islamic boarding schools and NU to become beacons of civilization and the rise of Muslim-preneurs with the establishment of Bank Syariah Indonesia," Erick said in a statement received by the editors, Monday, March 7.

Erick spoke at the closing ceremony of the 99th Harlah NU West Region in Palembang, South Sumatra which was held virtually

Erick Thohir who is also an honorary member of Banser NU stated that Indonesia is facing a big challenge.

These challenges are the result of disruptions in the health, digital, and supply chain sectors. Therefore, Erick Thohir believes that NU has a strategic role for Indonesia to face these challenges.

Erick detailed that the disruption in the health sector was evident in the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, he said, forced the Indonesian people to really raise health facilities for the Indonesian people.

The second challenge is digital disruption. The former president of Inter Milan explained that technological disruption has changed people's habits in transacting, studying, and even doing other activities.

The third challenge is global supply chain disruption. Currently, he said, global supply chains are influenced by geopolitics, health and digital disruption.

Erick Thohir stated that the changes were aimed at all industrial sectors, including agriculture or agriculture. According to him, farmers must build a system and refer to data.

Erick Thohir also touched on the environment, which was the theme of NU's 99th Harlah. According to him, the issue of climate change is becoming a global concern.

Issues related to climate change are global warming, prolonged dry season, and reduced water sources.

Therefore, Erick Thohir emphasized the need for innovation in the food sector. According to him, the Ministry of SOEs is also trying to create a sustainable ecosystem.

"For the sake of a better future for Indonesia, we are SOEs who continue to strive to realize this ecosystem," said Erick.

Furthermore, Erick Thohir explained the efforts of the Ministry of SOEs to form ID Food. According to him, the holding company or holding company for the food sector is focused on the market.

ID Food is a combination of five food SOEs. Later, the new BUMN will ensure the supply chain from upstream to downstream, starting with the provision of quality seeds, sufficient fertilizer needs, support for agricultural technology, integrated logistics facilities, to distribution of harvested products.

"Now there is the National Food Agency. In the future, Bulog will focus on food stability, to be able to maintain price certainty for farmers," he said.

Erick added that SOEs also have a Makmur program to strengthen the food ecosystem. The program involves seven SOEs, namely Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (RNI), Pupuk Indonesia Holding Company, BRI, Perhutani, PTPN III, Askrindo, and Asuransi Jasindo.

"The Prosperous Program is a real initiative (to form) a sustainable and holistic food ecosystem," explained Erick.