Sent by Prabowo, Dudung Bridges Communication Between Government and Ulama

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the Presidential Staff Office, retired TNI General Dudung Abdurachman, has been dispatched by President Prabowo Subianto to serve as a bridge for communication between the government and ulama through an official visit to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) headquarters. Dudung stated that this meeting was in his new capacity as appointed by President Prabowo to facilitate communication between the government and religious figures. “Yes, this visit is truly extraordinary in my view, which is why I am present as the new Head of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) who can represent the government,” Dudung said in his statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. The Head of the Presidential Staff also revealed that his presence carried a special mission to absorb aspirations from religious figures to maintain national stability and integrity. This visit was utilised by Dudung to directly hear various suggestions and inputs from the ulama. He emphasised that religious figures play a crucial role as they directly engage with grassroots community layers. “I am listening to the suggestions and inputs from the ulama, and then we will report them to the President. There are many important matters that I received earlier,” said the former Army Chief of Staff. Dudung affirmed his commitment to follow up on every point discussed in the meeting. According to him, conveying matters felt by the public to the President is a functional obligation of the Presidential Staff Office. In addition to absorbing aspirations, the meeting also highlighted the importance of maintaining national harmony. Dudung conveyed a message from MUI General Chairman Kiai Haji Anwar Iskandar that all parties should guard their words to avoid hatred and slander that could damage unity. “One more thing from Kiai Haji Anwar, the MUI Chairman, is the importance of togetherness, maintaining unity and integrity, guarding the mouth to avoid mutual hatred, belittling, and slandering, so that the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia remains preserved,” Dudung revealed. He emphasised that national stability is a collective responsibility that cannot be solely shouldered by the government. Synergy between the government and religious institutions like MUI is the key to safeguarding the state’s sovereignty. During the visit, Dudung was received by the MUI Central Board, including Deputy General Chairman K.H. Cholil Nafis and K.H. Marsudi Syuhud, as well as other field chairmen.