Profile of Abdul Kadir Karding, PKB Politician Appointed Head of National Quarantine Agency

President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated Abdul Kadir Karding as the Head of the National Quarantine Agency today. The politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB) replaces Sahat Manaor Panggabean, who currently holds the position as Head of Quarantine. So, who is Abdul Kadir Karding and what is his track record? Brief Profile Abdul Kadir Karding is a PKB politician who has long been active in national politics. He was born in Donggala, Central Sulawesi, on 25 March 1973. Karding spent his childhood in Donggala and his teenage years in Palu. After graduating from high school in Palu, he continued his higher education at Diponegoro University (UNDIP) in Semarang. He is known as one of PKB’s cadres with extensive experience in the legislature, both at the regional and national levels. Before his name was reported to become Head of Quarantine, Karding served as Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers from 2024-2025 in the Merah Putih Cabinet. Abdul Kadir Karding is an alumnus of Diponegoro University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in the Fisheries Department at UNDIP. He then pursued a master’s degree in Public Administration at the same university. Since his university days, Karding has been active in student organisations. He served as Chair of the Student Senate of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry at Diponegoro University from 1994-1995, and Chair of the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) from 1995-1996. This student organisation activity became one of the early gateways for Karding before entering the world of politics. Political Track Record Abdul Kadir Karding is not a new name on the political stage. He has been active in politics since the late 1990s. His political career began at the regional level. In the 1999 election, Karding was elected as a member of the Central Java DPRD. In the Central Java DPRD, he served as Chair of Commission E from 1999-2001, Chair of the PKB Faction from 2001-2003, and Deputy Chair of the Central Java DPRD. Karding then advanced to Senayan after being elected as a member of the DPR RI from the Central Java VI electoral district in the 2009 election. Since then, his national political career has strengthened. He has served as a member of the DPR RI for three terms since 2009. In parliament, Karding has held several important positions. He served as Chair of Commission VIII of the DPR RI from the PKB Faction from 2009-2012. Commission VIII handles matters related to religion, social affairs, disasters, women’s empowerment, and child protection. In addition, Karding also served as Deputy Chair of the PKB Faction in the DPR RI, Secretary of the PKB MPR Faction, member of Commission III of the DPR RI, Deputy Chair of Commission III of the DPR RI, member of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of the DPR RI, and member of Commission VII of the DPR RI for the 2019-2024 period. Within the party, Karding has also held strategic positions. He served as Deputy Chair of the PKB Central Java DPW from 2001-2006, and General Secretary of the PKB DPP from 2014-2019. Active in UNDIP Alumni Organisations Besides being known as a politician, Karding is also active in the Diponegoro University alumni community. Since 2022, he has been entrusted as the General Chair of the DPP IKA UNDIP. Before that, Karding also served as General Chair of KERAPU, the alumni organisation of the Fisheries Department at Diponegoro University. This position further strengthens his closeness to his alma mater, after previously completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UNDIP.