Don\'t Get Out of the Agreement

Kompas

Vice president-elect for the 2019-2024 term Ma\'ruf Amin is interviewed by Kompas at his residence in Menteng, Jakarta, Friday (18/10/2019). Ma\'ruf will be sworn in as vice president, accompanying President Joko Widodo on 20 October 2019 at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) General Session.

At 2:58 p.m. on Sunday (20/10/2019), Ma\'ruf Amin will take the oath as the vice president of Indonesia in a plenary session at the People\'s Consultative Assembly (MPR). Since then, Ma\'ruf Amin will be the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 term, accompanying President Joko Widodo.

"If we look at what happened during the term of Pak JK (Vice President Jusuf Kalla), the vice president\'s duty was to help the president as a whole. Then the president gave special tasks through a presidential regulation to the vice president. Because I am a cleric, naturally the issue of harmony among religions is entrusted to me. The matter of handling radicalism will of course also be handed over to me to coordinate. The fields of sharia economics and finance, halal matters, social funds such as zakat, wakaf (endowments), and infaq (donations) are also given to me," he said during an interview with Kompas at his residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Friday (18/10).

In the 50-minute interview, Ma\'ruf also expressed his anxiety over the conflict in Papua. According to him, the Papua problem must be a priority and he will seek dialogue with various parties to resolve the issue. In addition, the discussion also talked about various crucial issues, such as radicalism, economic problems, and corruption.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Ma\'ruf Amin

According to you, how should we deal with radicalism?

I want the handling of radicalism to be comprehensive by involving various parties. To realize this, all parties must return to the national commitment. Everyone may embrace Muslim, but be Indonesian Muslims. They may embrace Christianity, but be Indonesian Christians. Indonesian Buddhists. The Indonesian identity should not be lost. For Indonesia, that means national commitment. National commitment means we must be in agreement. This country was built on an agreement. Pancasila is the meeting point. The 1945 Constitution is an agreement. The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) is an agreement. This is called a national agreement. We must not go out of the national agreement.

Therefore, we can control the situation. Furthermore, we continue to educate the public so radical groups are not created.

We must have a mechanism that is agreed to, it must be constitutional. Don\'t be unconstitutional. The paths are all there. Our democracies run on the principle of agreement and mechanism. Therefore, we can control the situation. Furthermore, we continue to educate the public so radical groups are not created.

Sustainable improvement

Ma\'ruf, who was born in Tangerang, Banten, 11 March 1943, is diligent in exercising. Every day he walks up to 4 kilometers. In addition, he exercises on stationary bikes and walks in shallow water. For Ma\'ruf, continuous improvement is his life principle. "When I was at Nahdlatul Ulama, my scope was that. When in the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), my scope was to the people. When I am vice president, it will be how to make improvements in all aspects. Make improvements for the better in a sustainable manner," he explained.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

Ma\'ruf Amin

You often encourage the implementation of the concept of sharia-based economics. How does that work?

What I want is the halal industry. We should not only give (halal) certificates or become halal consumers (products). I dream of a halal industry center. Then, the goods we produce can be exported to the Middle East, Asia Minor and other countries.

Then also Islamic finance. We already have banks, insurance, capital markets, sukuk. I also want a halal trading center, like Tanah Abang Market. People who want halal transactions, are there. Then social funds such as wakaf, zakat, and infaq. The potential is great. But it has not been managed optimally.

At present, these matters are entrusted to various institutions. So it is not the focus of management. I want an institution that can specifically execute it. I want (in the form of) a body, but it has the authority to execute, like the Creative Economy Agency. It chairman is at the minister\'s level.

According to you, has there been progress in combating corruption in Indonesia?

There has been, but there are people who are dissatisfied. Therefore, it must be like this; try and try it again.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

Ma\'ruf Amin

What is the appropriate way to tackle corruption?

In accordance with existing mechanism. There are corrections and revisions that need to be made by the government and the House of Representatives, and now the law (the revised results) is in force. However, some people who disagree (with the content of the revised KPK Law).

We just need to continue to look for the best way to eradicate it.

I think there are several mechanisms that can be taken. Through a judicial review (in the Constitutional Court), in my opinion it is the most ideal because the Constitutional Court was not involved in making the law. The process (judicial review) is underway at the Constitutional Court, we will wait to hear from the court. There is need to create commotion, hostility or mutual insistence. The important thing is that corruption must be eradicated. We just need to continue to look for the best way to eradicate it. (GAL/INA/NTA/NWO/LAS/HAR)