Enviro News Asia, Bandung — Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, expressed deep appreciation for Muhammadiyah’s longstanding contribution to the nation during the commemoration of its 113th anniversary held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung on Tuesday (18 November 2025). This year’s theme, “Advancing National Welfare,” was described by the Minister as highly aligned with the organization’s historical role in strengthening Indonesia’s social development.
The anniversary ceremony was attended by several national figures, including Chairman of Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir, former Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi.
In his remarks, Raja Juli Antoni emphasized that Muhammadiyah’s contributions across education, health, economic empowerment, and humanitarian work have significantly shaped the nation’s progress for more than a century.
“For 113 years, Muhammadiyah has set an exemplary model of how efforts to advance national welfare are carried out through concrete actions. As a Muhammadiyah cadre, I am grateful to bring these values into my work in government,” he stated.
He further noted that Muhammadiyah’s spirit of social piety remains relevant amid contemporary challenges. “Such piety is not merely rhetorical—it must be manifested and generate tangible benefits for society,” he added.
Raja Antoni also linked this year’s theme to the forestry policies under President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, stressing that forest management must not focus solely on ecological aspects but must also generate economic and social benefits for communities living around forest areas.
“Forest governance should improve people’s quality of life, create employment, and stimulate sustainable economic development. This aligns with Muhammadiyah’s anniversary theme,” he said.
A long-time Muhammadiyah cadre, Raja Juli Antoni previously studied at the Muhammadiyah Darul Arqam Islamic Boarding School in Garut, led the Muhammadiyah Students’ Association (IPM), and served as Executive Director of the Maarif Institute.
His presence at the 113th anniversary reaffirmed the shared values between Muhammadiyah’s social movement and the national development agenda, particularly in advancing community welfare through sustainable forestry policies. (*)
