Gibran tours regions to ensure President Prabowo's programmes are implemented
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka stated that he has been travelling to several regions, including East Java, to ensure that President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programmes are running smoothly at the local level.
Gibran made this statement in his speech at a public religious study event marking the 55th Haul of K.H. Abd. Wahab Chasbullah at the PP Bahrul Ulum Foundation, Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, on Sunday.
“So, a few weeks ago, I was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of East Java to the pondok as well, to Tremas in Pacitan and also Trenggalek; we want to ensure that the President’s programmes are truly being implemented in the regions,” said Gibran, as monitored from the YouTube broadcast of the Vice Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta.
He also entrusted local heads, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and pondok pesantren caretakers to help oversee various government priority programmes, such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), Free Health Checks (CKG), Red and White Village Cooperatives, and Red and White Fishermen’s Villages.
“I entrust this to the Kiai, there is the National Police Chief, the Governor, the Regent, the Forkopimda present, to always oversee the President’s priority programmes: MBG, CKG, village cooperatives, fishermen’s villages, and other programmes. Let us pray that the President’s priority programmes can run well, especially in East Java,” he said.
On that occasion, Gibran also appreciated the role of pondok pesantren in producing the nation’s next generation who are knowledgeable, faithful, and open-minded.
He described Indonesia, as the country with the largest Muslim population, as having an important asset in the form of its santri.
According to him, Pondok Pesantren Bahrul Ulum has produced many national figures, including the Fourth President of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, Rais Aam of PBNU KH. Miftachul Akhyar, Minister of Manpower for the period (2019-2024) Ida Fauziyah, and Rector of UIN Malang Prof. Ilfi Nur Diana.
Gibran also appreciated the development of higher education within the pondok pesantren environment.
The Vice President noted that the campus under the auspices of Ponpes Bahrul Ulum not only offers Islamic religious studies but also agriculture, economics, education, and information technology.
According to him, the existence of the agriculture major at that campus aligns with the government’s priority programme to achieve food self-sufficiency.
“And because there is an agriculture major here, this also aligns with the President’s priority programme, namely food self-sufficiency,” said Gibran.