Several Muhammadiyah figures have been appointed to key positions in the newly formed Red and White Cabinet (Kabinet Merah Putih), led by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. These appointments highlight Muhammadiyah active role in supporting the government and its commitment to contributing to national development.
Abdul Mu’ti – Minister of Primary and Secondary Education
One of the most notable appointments is that of Abdul Mu’ti as the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. He currently serves as the Secretary-General of Muhammadiyah 2015-2027. Born in Kudus on September 2, 1968, Abdul Mu’ti completed his early education in his hometown, graduating from Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Manafiul Ulum in 1980, Madrasah Tsanawiyah Negeri in 1983, and Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Purwodadi Filial in 1986.
He, then, earned his undergraduate degree from the Faculty of Tarbiyah at IAIN Walisongo Semarang in 1991, followed by a Master’s degree from the School of Education at Flinders University in Australia in 1997. He also completed a short course on Governance and Shariah at the University of Birmingham in 2005 and earned his doctorate from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta in 2008. Since 1993, he has been a lecturer at IAIN Walisongo and has served as an advisor at the British Council in London since 2006.
Muhadjir Effendy – Special Presidential Advisor for Hajj Affairs
Another key figure in the cabinet is Muhadjir Effendy, who has been appointed as the Special Presidential Advisor for Hajj Affairs. Muhadjir has held several ministerial positions in previous cabinets. His ministerial career began as the Minister of Education and Culture from 2016 to 2019, and he also served as Acting Minister of Social Affairs in 2020 and 2024, and as Acting Minister of Youth and Sports in 2023. Besides, he was the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs from 2019 to 2024.
Born in Madiun on July 29, 1956, Muhadjir is the sixth of nine siblings. He completed his primary and secondary education in her hometown and later pursued higher education at IAIN Malang, earning a Sarjana Muda (BA) degree in 1978. He continued his studies at IKIP Malang (now Universitas Negeri Malang), where he completed his undergraduate degree in 1982. He obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Gadjah Mada University in 1996 and earned a doctorate in Military Sociology from Universitas Airlangga in 2008. Muhadjir has also taken part in courses abroad, including at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C. in 1993, and Victoria University in Canada in 1991.
Raja Juli Antoni – Minister of Forestry
Raja Juli Antoni has been appointed as the Minister of Forestry. Born in Riau, on July 13, 1977, he is the son of Raja Ramli Ibrahim, a respected Muhammadiyah leader who served as Deputy Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Provincial Board of Riau.
Raja Juli Antoni’s involvement in Muhammadiyah began at the Muhammadiyah Islamic Boarding School of Darul Arqam in Garut, West Java. He also served as the President of the Muhammadiyah Student Association (IPM) 2000-2002 and as the Executive Director of the Maarif Institute.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Quranic and Tafsir Studies from IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah (now UIN Jakarta) in 2001. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, the United Kingdom, on Chevening scholarships, and later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Queensland, Australia, focusing on the role of religion in peacebuilding in Southeast Asia.
Fauzan – Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology
Fauzan, a former rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) 2016-2014, has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. Born in Kediri on August 14, 1961, Fauzan served as the Chair of Division II of the Muhammadiyah Council for Economy and Community Support.
He completed his doctoral studies at Universitas Negeri Surabaya, obtained his Master’s degree from Universitas Negeri Malang, and earned his undergraduate degree from the UMM. As a professor at the UMM, Fauzan was known for initiating the Program Profesor Penggerak Pembangunan Masyarakat (P3M/Professor-Led Community Development Program), which encourages university members to engage directly in community development, particularly in the food sector.
Fajar Riza Ul Haq – Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education
Fajar Riza Ul Haq has been assigned as the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, working alongside Abdul Mu’ti. He was born in Sukabumi on February 1, 1979. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Department of Strategic Studies and Partnerships 2022–2027.
Fajar completed his undergraduate study at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) while studying at the Muhammadiyah Islamic Boarding School of Hajjah Nuriyah Shabran. He earned a Master’s degree from Gadjah Mada University through the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies and recently completed his doctoral studies at Gadjah Mada University in 2024.
Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla – Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers
Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla has been appointed as the Deputy Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, working alongside Abdul Kadir Karding. Born in Sungguminasa, Gowa, on April 28, 1987, Dzulfikar is the son of K.H. Ahmad Tawalla, a distinguished Muhammadiyah scholar in South Sulawesi.
His involvement in Muhammadiyah grew as he served as the Secretary-General of Muhammadiyah Youth Association (Pemuda Muhammadiyah). He was later elected as the President of Muhammadiyah Youth Association for the 2023–2027 period after a highly competitive selection process.
Dzulfikar earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics Education from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar in 2013 and pursued a Master’s degree in Communication at STIKOM InterStudi Jakarta, which he completed in 2021.
Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak – Deputy Head of the Indonesian Hajj Organizing Agency
Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak serves as the Deputy Head of the Indonesian Hajj Organizing Agency, working alongside Mochamad Irfan Yusuf. Born on April 10, 1982, Dahnil previously held the position ofMuhammadiyah Youth Association (Pemuda Muhammadiyah) from 2014 to 2018.
He completed his undergraduate degree in Public Accounting at the Ahmad Dahlan Institute of Technology and Business, Jakarta. In 2005, he pursued his Master’s in Planning and Public Policy at the University of Indonesia, focusing on financial decentralization. He also pursued a Doctorate in Economics at Diponegoro University in 2018. Throughout his studies, Dahnil served as a lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang (UMT) and engaged in advancing the field of economics.
The involvement of Muhammadiyah figures in the Red and White Cabinet emphasizes the organization’s commitment to actively contributing to national development. As a movement deeply rooted in education and social service, Muhammadiyah continues to be a driving force in shaping Indonesia’s future. Through the expertise and dedication of these individuals, Muhammadiyah aims to ensure that the development of Indonesia is guided by Islamic values and principles of the nation.
