Coordinating Minister Says Pesantren Transformation Can Overcome Poverty

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, also known as Cak Imin, has called for the transformation of pesantren through the strengthening of education.

He believes that pesantren have a direct influence on the surrounding community.

“Pesantren were born to become centres of study and knowledge, not merely places for religious recitation,” Cak Imin said on Saturday (29/8/2026).

“Pesantren must continuously recognise their obligation to position themselves as centres of knowledge,” he continued.

Cak Imin said he has conveyed this to President Prabowo Subianto. He stated that pesantren education can be one of the ways to break the chain of poverty in Indonesia.

“I told the President that one of the doors to overcoming poverty is pesantren,” Cak Imin revealed.

“One of the ways to overcome poverty is through education. Education is the fastest way to break the chain of poverty,” he added.

Furthermore, Cak Imin mentioned that the application of artificial intelligence and the digital economy can be implemented in pesantren education.