MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, SURAKARTA – The Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development Prof. Bambang Setiaji highlighted the significant disparity between the economic strategies of Islamic countries in the Middle East and those of East Asian economic powerhouses such as China, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.
Prof. Bambang Setiaji noted that while many Middle Eastern countries have relied on oil wealth to fund lavish lifestyles and service-based economies, East Asian nations have prioritized science, technology, and innovation.
“They [Arab countries] skipped the industrialization phase and went straight to building malls and focusing on a luxury lifestyle,” said Prof. Bambang, contrasting the work ethic of young people in these regions with the industriousness of their East Asian counterparts.
Prof. Bambang Setiaji emphasized the immense potential of the global Islamic market, which is estimated to be 2.4 billion people, nearly double the size of China’s. He argued that Indonesia, with its large Muslim population and strategic location, is well-positioned to tap into this market.
Addressing a new leadership of Indonesia, Prof. Bambang Setiaji proposed a strategy that involves attracting investment from oil-rich Middle Eastern countries while collaborating with East Asian technological powerhouses, particularly China. However, he cautioned that while Indonesia should pursue these opportunities, it should remain vigilant and mindful of the geopolitical interests of other nations.
“I see a glimmer of hope in the midst of this darkness, and that is Muhammadiyah. I believe that only Muhammadiyah has the capacity to lead this effort, given our extensive network of engineering faculties,” Prof. Bambang Setiaji asserted.
