Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said that the Indonesian younger generation, including students and graduates of pesantren (Islamic boarding school), must have skills to face the global competition.

"We will face a future full of tight competitions among nations, and without good human resources preparations, we will face serious difficulty in competing with other countries," Jokowi said here on Thursday when addressing a consolidation meeting held as part of activities to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

Jokowi pledged to push the House of Representatives to pass a Bill on Islamic Boarding School into law.

"The government continues to push for the passing of the Bill on Pesantren into law," he remarked before leaders and members of the country`s largest Muslim organization.

The law is crucial for the certainty of budget of pesantren and education activities in the boarding schools.

The development of human resources of pesantren must be given attention because Indonesia is facing a future full of competition.

Among those present at the event were NU Rais Aam Miftahul Akhyar, NU Chairman Said Aqil Siraj; Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto; Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin; Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung; and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi.

Reporting by Hanni Sofia, fardah

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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