Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has said that the gradual structural downsizing of his ministry is expected to drive his ranks to work more effectively and professionally.

"The Ministry of Religious Affairs is streamlining (its structure) in the hopes of transforming into a more professional institution," he informed during a meeting with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta on Monday,

He expressed confidence that by enhancing the professionalism of its officials, the ministry would be able to better contribute to the birth of a greater and stronger Indonesian nation.

He noted that his ministry has begun to cut the number of work units and limit work coverage, considering that its organizational structure seemed to be excessive in size for a single-state institution.

"Previously managed by the Religious Affairs Ministry, matters related to courts of religious affairs have been delegated to the Supreme Court," he pointed out.

Umar also cited the transfer of authority of a research and development unit to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and of the collection and distribution of zakat, or Islamic alms, to the National Alms Agency (Baznas) as examples of the restructuring.

"Earlier, waqf (Islamic endowment assets) management was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Now, there exists the Indonesian Waqf Agency, or BWI," the minister added.

He then highlighted that the government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has set up the Hajj and Umrah Agency as a separate executive body from the Religious Affairs Ministry for safer and more comfortable pilgrimages.

The minister also sought collaboration with the Commission VIII of the DPR to ensure improvements in the performance of his ministry for the next five years.

"We are convinced that we will be able to deal with challenges ahead with the help from directives and guidance provided by the Commission VIII," he added.

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Translator: Tri Meilani, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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