Ministry of Religious Affairs strives for even distribution of senior marriage officiants in each province, at least two

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) is endeavouring to place senior penghulu evenly in every province as part of strengthening career progression through the restructuring of functional positions and addressing the gap in penghulu needs.

“One of the steps being prepared is the placement of senior penghulu at the provincial level, with plans for at least two positions in each province as part of strengthening the strategic role of penghulu,” said Director of KUA Development and Sakinah Family of Kemenag, Ahmad Zayadi, in Jakarta on Thursday.

Zayadi explained the disparity between the current number of penghulu and the ideal national requirement of 16,237 people.

Based on the existing conditions in 2026, the current number of penghulu is recorded at 11,918 people, consisting of 10,706 Civil Servants (PNS) and 1,212 Government Employees with Employment Agreements (PPPK).

He stated that Kemenag is currently maintaining intensive communication and coordination with the Ministry of PAN-RB to discuss strategic steps in fulfilling the need for penghulu.

According to him, several options are being studied, including the opening of CPNS (Candidate Civil Servant) positions on an ongoing basis to the mechanism of transitioning positions into the Functional Position (JF) of Penghulu through the inpassing scheme.

“There are several options being studied to ensure the availability of competent human resources in every line of service,” he said.

In addition to fulfilling the numbers, he said, Kemenag is also committed to advocating for improved welfare of penghulu, particularly regarding functional allowances that have not increased since 2007.

“Efforts to improve welfare are carried out through coordination with relevant ministries to encourage adjustment of allowance values that have long remained unchanged,” he said.

He added that Kemenag is also proposing an increase in job class as a form of appreciation for the professionalism of penghulu, including the submission of positions for the functional position of Senior Expert.

Currently, the job class for penghulu is at Grade 8 for First Expert, Grade 9 for Junior Expert, and Grade 11 for Mid-Level Expert.

“This step is taken so that the welfare standards for penghulu align with the transformation of KUA services that are increasingly modern and complex,” he said.