Unity message from Agriculture Minister Amran to 3,000 KKSS members at his residence during iftar
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman delivered messages of unity, honesty, and hard work to 3,000 members of the Kerukunan Keluarga Sulawesi Selatan (KKSS) as he attended an iftar gathering at his residence in South Jakarta on Saturday, 7 March 2026.
Minister Amran said that togetherness during Ramadan serves as a reminder that life in this world is only temporary. Therefore, everyone should safeguard integrity between words and deeds and increase good deeds toward others.
“Be honest and fair in your actions. For we are watched by Allah. This is only a theatre of life; we will leave this world in 70–80 years. What will accompany us are the good deeds we have done for people. Now, ladies and gentlemen, we are all equal,” he said.
He emphasised that he always strives to treat everyone equally regardless of rank or wealth. He said that every human being has the same standing before God.
“I do not want to distinguish because someone has a position and money. Whoever it is. When we go back home, meeting a rickshaw puller, a small farmer, it is the same as me,” he said.
During the event, Amran also reiterated his commitment to always side with the ordinary people, including in carrying out his mandate in the agricultural sector.
He cited his experience finding farmers still using basic equipment and ensuring government assistance reaches the people.
“Hati-hati. Suara rakyat, suara Tuhan. We have conducted visits. Women were found digging with hoes, using wood. We called the government and the regent; where is the equipment that was sent? I said, if it is not disbursed, we will halt aid to one province and the head of the relevant agency will be dismissed that day,” he said.
According to Minister Amran, siding with the poor is a moral obligation that cannot be negotiated. He stressed that anyone who oppresses the people must face the law.
“I’m not the one oppressing. I will send them to prison, because they oppress the poor. So we have no compromise. I always remember that we will be held accountable. If government aid does not reach the people, that is our responsibility in this world and the hereafter,” he asserted.
During the event, Amran also urged all KKSS family members to safeguard their families, educate their children well, and ensure that the livelihoods given to their families come from halal sources.
“Protect the family, look after your children well. Provide halal food. Be careful with your children if we do not guard them properly,” he said.
As an organisation that represents the South Sulawesi community across the country, Amran regarded KKSS as having great strength if all its members maintain unity and mutual support.
“If KKSS unites, there are around 16 million people across Indonesia. If each can influence just 10 people, that is 160 million people. That could have a major influence on the nation and even alter the policies of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
He then shared his life journey, coming from a modest family in a village. The core values passed down by his parents, he said, were honesty and the prohibition on taking others’ rights.
“We come from the poorest village. The only thing our parents told us was not to take the rights of others. That is the only inheritance,” he said.
Amran also reminded of the importance of changing one’s mindset and hard work to change one’s fate. He cited the Quranic teaching that change can only occur if a person changes themselves.
“Change your thinking, change your actions, be persistent. You will change your life. In the Qur’an as well, Surah Ar-Ra’d, verse 11, states that a people’s fate will not change unless they themselves change,” he said.
He also warned of the dangers of arrogance. He said that feeling oneself to be the greatest or the wealthiest is the start of a person’s ruin.
“If someone always thinks they are great, that is the beginning of ruin. If someone thinks they are rich, that is also the beginning of ruin. Let Allah lift your rank,” he said.
In his message to KKSS members, Amran urged everyone to maintain unity, strengthen collaboration, and support each other.
“We are all brothers and sisters. We should not seek differences. Let us look at the positive side. Successful people cannot stand alone. If even neighbours are not harmonious, do not dream of making changes,” he noted.
Minister Amran urged all attendees to continue working hard and give their best in any job they undertake.
“Whatever your job, do it to the best of your ability. If you sell cendol, sell the best. If you sell clothes, sell the best. Never have any intention to deceive. Because deceiving a servant of Allah is like deceiving God, and that will not be blessed,” he concluded.