Prabowo establishes Pesantren Directorate General

President Prabowo Subianto has issued Presidential Regulation Number 18 of 2026, amending previous regulations regarding the Ministry of Religious Affairs. This change establishes a new Directorate General specifically for Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools).

Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar stated that this new directorate aims to provide dedicated government attention to the development and existence of Pesantren in Indonesia. Previously, Pesantren fell under the subordination of Islamic education, but they will now operate as an independent directorate within the ministry.