Jusuf Kalla: Don't Make Religion The Main Consideration In Business

Jusuf Kalla (JK) when symbolically opening the 2023 National Working Meeting of the KAHMI Entrepreneurs Association/Korps Alumni Islamic Student Association (Hipka)/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla said that in the business world, religion should not be the main consideration. " “ If we go to Mecca (Saudi Arabia), to Bin Dawood stores (for example) buy equipment, from sandals to skullcaps made in China. It is almost difficult to find make in Indonesia. It can't be said that ‘eh buy from us because both are Muslim,’ it can't be (because) buyers buy products (under consideration) good, cheap, and fast,” said JK as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, February 8. JK affected this when giving a speech at the 2023 National Working Meeting of the KAHMI/Korps Alumni Entrepreneurs Association (Hipka) and the inauguration of new members of Hipka in 2023. While doing business in the automotive sector in the South Sulawesi area, Makassar, it is said that the business relationship carried out by him does not recognize religious boundaries. Starting from dealing with Japanese people who work at Toyota companies, to establishing relationships with British people who work at Astra companies. Considering that the economy is part of muamalah, said JK, all business activities are considered to be categorized as sharia, except selling goods that are forbidden by religion. “The economy is part of muama which in principle can all be (sold) except for those that are prohibited. For example, making a textile factory, as long as you don't sell beer, alcohol, and so on (forbidden), it includes the sharia economy,” said the 6th and 10th vice presidents. Furthermore, he considers that anyone who is active in the world of sharia economy should not always limit certain business activities. For JK, there is nothing wrong religiously in doing business as long as religion is not prohibited. “ Don't say the sharia economy has to be like this, the term (using) Arabic. It's an Arabic economy, not a sharia economy, (even) Arabs themselves are not like that. Don't reduce business opportunities so other people take it,” he said.