Palu (The Indonesian News) — President Prabowo Subianto has praised Muhammadiyah for its sustained efforts to advance education across Indonesia, pointing to thousands of educational institutions the organization has established, from kindergartens to universities.
Prabowo expressed his admiration during the Tanwir gathering and the celebration of Muhammadiyah’s 114th anniversary in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
He said Muhammadiyah’s stature was defined not merely by its age or the size of its membership, but by its dedication to the fields of service it had chosen and its tangible contributions to society.
“I believe this demonstrates just how significant Muhammadiyah is. The organization works wholeheartedly in the fields it has chosen, providing tangible service to the nation and the people of Indonesia,” Prabowo said.
He said Muhammadiyah had successfully translated Islamic values into practical initiatives that address the needs of society. Education, health care and social services, he added, were central to that mission.
“Certainly, in the spirit of Islam, what matters most is tangible work that benefits others,” he said.
Prabowo outlined the scale of Muhammadiyah’s network of charitable and social enterprises, together with its women’s organization, ‘Aisyiyah. The network includes 165 universities, 24 medical schools, 130 hospitals, approximately 8,000 primary and secondary schools, 20,000 kindergartens and hundreds of clinics across the country.
He said Muhammadiyah’s educational network had made a substantial contribution to educating the nation. Through these institutions, Indonesian children have opportunities to learn, receive guidance and prepare to become the next generation of national leaders.
The organization’s commitment to education, he added, extends beyond primary and secondary schooling. Its hundreds of universities and dozens of medical faculties demonstrate a continued effort to develop highly skilled human resources.
Strong Organizational Governance
Beyond the breadth of its education and health care networks, Prabowo also praised Muhammadiyah’s ability to manage a large organization and its extensive charitable enterprises. He said the organization managed funds totaling more than Rp200 trillion.
“I have also received a report that the funds managed by Muhammadiyah are enormous—truly remarkable. If I am not mistaken, they exceed Rp200 trillion. This reflects the quality of the organization’s leadership and its management capabilities,” Prabowo said.
He said this capacity demonstrated strong leadership and organizational governance. With its extensive network of institutions and enterprises, Muhammadiyah had shown an ability to sustain its service to the public.
“That is why I believe Muhammadiyah will always play an important role in the life of the nation and state,” he said.
Prabowo also identified education as one of the most distinctive features of Muhammadiyah’s movement. The organization has not only established educational institutions but has also produced numerous intellectual figures who have contributed to the country.
Source: Press Release of the Government Communications Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Bakom RI)
