Coordinating Minister For Food Affair Zulkifli Hasan Profile

Wednesday, 30 Oct 2024

By srirahayu@insightinnews.com

Dr. (H.C.) Zulkifli Hasan, S.E., M.M., commonly known as Bang Zul, was appointed as the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia on June 15, 2022, by President Joko Widodo. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Deputy Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) from 2019 to 2022. He also held the position of Chairman of the MPR from 2014 to 2019.

As the son of a rural farmer, he is widely regarded as an independent individual. His extensive experience in building businesses from the ground up has fostered a strong sense of sensitivity and empathy towards marginalized communities. Promoting inclusivity and people-centered governance has always been his core principle as a politician, earning him recognition among many traders in traditional markets as a "true pro-trader politician." His appointment by the President as Minister of Trade was not only based on his robust entrepreneurial background but also on his familiarity with field operations.

In terms of education, Zulkifli Hasan pursued a degree in Economics at Krisnadwipayana University, graduating in 1996. He later obtained a Master of Management from PPM School of Management in 2003. He has been awarded two prestigious honorary doctorates (Honoris Causa) in Public Administration from Korea Sejong University and in Human Resource Management from Semarang State University.

Minister Zulkifli is married and has four children: two daughters and two sons. He is an avid sports enthusiast. In addition to enjoying various sports such as running, tennis, and table tennis, Zulkifli holds a black belt in Kyokushin and is a practitioner of Tarung Derajat, an Indonesian mixed martial art.

Born in Lampung on May 17, 1962, Minister Zulkifli Hasan was raised in a farming family, which significantly influenced his entrepreneurial interests and career trajectory. Initially a civil servant, the young Zulkifli chose to transition into entrepreneurship. He eventually established his own business and successfully led several companies in the retail sector.

After embarking on his political career, he maintained his entrepreneurial interests. In addition to his active involvement in Muhammadiyah, his strong commitment to young entrepreneurs was evident during his tenure as Chairman of the Farmers and Fishermen Council of Lampung Province, Vice Chairman of the Lampung Sai Community, and as the initiator of the Lampung Youth Union. He also led the Muhammadiyah Agricultural and Fishermen Labor Institute from 2000 to 2005.

His political career within the National Mandate Party (PAN) has consistently been characterized by a citizen-centered approach. He served as the Secretary General of PAN from 2005 to 2010 before taking on leadership roles within the party. Zulkifli was also a member of the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2009, where he was part of Commission VI, which focuses on industry, investment, and business competition.

From 2009 to 2014, Zulkifli Hasan held the position of Minister of Forestry in the United Indonesia Cabinet II. During his tenure, he launched two significant policies that proved beneficial for the conservation of Indonesia's forest areas. Minister Hasan initiated the One Billion Trees Planting Movement, which engaged all segments of society, including corporations, indigenous communities, the government, and the military. Zulkifli Hasan is also recognized as the architect of the Moratorium on Forest Utilization Permits, a policy that successfully preserved millions of hectares of land across Indonesia.

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