Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono Appointed as MES Executive Chairman for 2026-2031
Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono has been appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Majelis Ekonomi Syariah (MES), working alongside MES General Chairman Rosan P. Roeslani, who also serves as Minister of Investment and Downstreaming and CEO of Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara). The inauguration of the new leadership structure was conducted by former Indonesian Vice President (2019-2024) and Chairman of the MES Advisory Council, KH. Ma’ruf Amin, in Jakarta on Sunday, 24 May.
Ferry emphasised that under the new leadership, MES will actively assist businesses in overcoming licensing hurdles. Additionally, MES will provide guidance to SMEs and cooperatives to develop Sharia-based businesses, aiming to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a global halal production hub.
“MES is not merely a discussion forum but an operational instrument delivering tangible impact. We will ensure SMEs, cooperatives, and the halal industry receive full support from the Sharia ecosystem,” Ferry stated on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Under the theme ‘Realising Collaborative Leadership for a Competitive and Far-Reaching Sharia Economy’, the new MES leadership inauguration marks a pivotal moment for strengthening stakeholder synergy in advancing inclusive, sustainable national Sharia economic and financial development, contributing to societal welfare and Indonesia’s economic progress.
Moving forward, MES will enhance collaboration with the Association of Islamic Economics Experts and the National Sharia Economic and Financial Committee (KNEKS) to conduct studies, research, and develop Sharia economic concepts that can be directly implemented on the ground.
“Sharia economics must focus more on the real sector. A key aspect is strengthening village cooperatives, which drive grassroots-level economic activity,” Ferry said.
With the new leadership, MES is expected to directly benefit society, particularly in advancing Sharia economics in Indonesia. Ferry is optimistic that stakeholder synergy will further develop Indonesia’s Sharia economic ecosystem.
Among those present were Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan P. Roeslani, Religious Affairs Minister and MES Advisory Council member KH. Nasaruddin Umar, OJK Commissioner Frederica Widyasari, MES Central Board Expert Council Chairman KH. Adi Hidayat, MES Central Board Advisory Council Chairman Muliawan D. Hadad, Deputy Cooperatives Minister Farida Farichah, along with various Sharia economy stakeholders, senior ministry and agency officials, regional government representatives, and national Sharia economics academics.