Vice President Amin: We Are Optimistic We Can

Sure. Our experience in the past showed it was possible. Of course, we can do it now. But it requires the people’s participation. We must be optimistic.

TANGKAPAN LAYAR

Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin.

A day after being sworn in as vice president of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 period on Oct. 20, 2019, was assigned by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to represent him at the coronation of the emperor of Japan, Naruhito, in Tokyo. It was the first assignment given to the former chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

Now, many tasks and jobs have been carried out by Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin, starting from managing the sharia economy and finances, the halal industry and dealing with stunted children to bureaucratic reform, poverty, regional autonomy, religious harmony and accelerating development in Papua and West Papua.

According to the results of a survey conducted by Kompas’ research and development team in April, the image and performance of the vice president in the eyes of the public was positive, with a score of 74 percent. The vice president\'s image and performance showed an improvement from 66 percent recorded in the January survey.

In a virtual interview that lasted more than an hour on Thursday (24/6/2021), the vice president answered a number of Kompas questions. Below are excerpts from the interview.

People are upset because the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet ended. How can the government convince the public that efforts to overcome the pandemic have been carried out optimally?

What we experienced is also experienced by people in other countries. Since the PSBB [large-scale social restrictions] was implemented properly, there has been a decline. This year, we tried to suppress the causes that can trigger an increase [in new COVID-19 cases], one of which was by imposing a mudik [exodus] ban. The restrictions were also relaxed to revive the economy. However, the mudik ban was not 100 percent obeyed. Because of that, the number of new cases rose again. So, we have to impose restrictions again.

BPMI SETWAPRES

Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin.

Are you sure and optimistic about Indonesia’s efforts?

Sure. Our experience in the past showed it was possible. Of course, we can do it now. But it requires the people’s participation. We should do more testing so that we can identify the people who are infected, and also conduct isolation, as well as impose PPKM [public activity restrictions] in regions or even community units [RW]. We must also accelerate vaccinations so that herd immunity can be achieved. It is not easy to control the brake and acceleration pedals properly that can ensure no one would not be sacrificed. We must be optimistic.

Community initiatives

Islamic economy and finance have progressed well. Are you quite satisfied with the results? What are the weaknesses and what should we do to make Indonesia stronger, empower the people and achieve social justice for all?

The Islamic economy in Indonesia began with the initiatives of the communities and community leaders. Then the government supported them. Later, the government initiated the establishment of the National Sharia Economic and Finance Committee. An ecosystem needs to be built, namely the halal industry because we want to become the largest producer of halal products in the world.

The government is committed to building halal industrial areas or halal zones and facilitating halal certification, including opening up opportunities to export to other countries. In the financial industry, we have carried out a merger [of state-owned Islamic banks]. The small ones should not be forgotten, such as the micro Waqf banks in a number of Islamic boarding schools, as well as non-Islamic boarding schools.

Most of the Indonesian population are young people. How can we introduce the sharia economy to them so that its development is sustainable?

We have to promote Islamic economic literacy. The contribution of Islamic banks is still very low, just less than 1 percent. We have to develop it so that the potential of Islamic economy can be optimally realized. We want to build the perception that the sharia economy is for all people.

Papua

As the chairman of the Steering Committee for the Acceleration of Welfare Development in Papua, what strategies will you implement to accelerate development and overcome security problems?

BPMI SETWAPRES

Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin.

One of the President\'s assignments for me is coordinate the efforts to accelerate Papua\'s development. In accordance with the Presidential Instruction, there are seven main areas that have to be handled by this team: poverty, education, health, micro and small businesses, employment, infrastructure and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs].

What are the program?

We identify programs from ministries/agencies that support the acceleration program. All ministries and agencies have their own programs. There is also an allocation of funds to finance the acceleration programs. We use the funds optimally and promote coordination.

What about the matter of security?

We do not use a security approach, but a welfare approach. Security will be [beneficial] for the Papuan people. The Papuan people are good, but there is a group that makes the situation unsecure.

SEKRETARIAT WAPRES

Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin.

Are you going to visit Papua?

I plan to go to Papua to meet local leaders. There are six groups of people I will meet. They represent local customs, religions, education and academia, women\'s groups and youths. I don\'t know how many groups I can exactly meet but I\'m still waiting for the [names of the] schools, which are being arranged by the local government and security officials. As directed by the President, dialogue with all elements of Papuan society must be carried out. ( WKM/CAS/INA/HAR)

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).