Azwar Abubakar
Encyclopedia
Hajji
Azwar Abubakar (born in Banda Aceh
on 21 June 1952) is the current Administrative Reform Minister of Indonesia.
, Indonesia on 21 June 1952. He received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the Bandung Institute of Technology
, later receiving a master's degree in management from Syiah Kuala University in Aceh. After graduation, he began working as a consultant and entrepreneur. After the resignation of President Suharto in 1998, he became active in politics, co-founding the Aceh branch of the National Mandate Party
.
From 2000 to 2004, Abubakar served as the deputy governor of Aceh, later becoming the acting governor from 2004 to 2005 after Governor Abdullah Puteh was convicted of grafting
. As acting governor he handled the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, with the amount of civil servants at first thought to have been reduced by almost two-thirds. He also had to deal with the Free Aceh Movement
. He ran for governor in 2006 with Prosperous Justice Party member Nasir Djamil as his deputy, but lost to Irwandi Yusuf
.
Abubakar was elected to the People's Representative Council
in 2009, representing Aceh. He became a member of Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs. On 19 October 2011, Abubakar replaced EE Mangindaan as the Administrative Reform Minister of Indonesia.
to strengthen his support in Aceh and from the National Mandate Party. Abubakar's appointment as minister was met warmly in Aceh, with several prominent Acehnese
calling him "the best son of Aceh".
1.2 billion (US$ 150,000), the lowest of the six ministers appointed in October 2011.
Hajji
Hajji or El-Hajj, is an honorific title given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca, and is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take time to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel. The title is placed before a person's name...
Azwar Abubakar (born in Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the island of Sumatra, with an elevation of 35 meters. The city regency covers an area of 64 square kilometres and according to the 2000 census had a population of 219,070 people...
on 21 June 1952) is the current Administrative Reform Minister of Indonesia.
Biography
Abubakar was born in Banda AcehBanda Aceh
Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the island of Sumatra, with an elevation of 35 meters. The city regency covers an area of 64 square kilometres and according to the 2000 census had a population of 219,070 people...
, Indonesia on 21 June 1952. He received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the Bandung Institute of Technology
Bandung Institute of Technology
The Bandung Institute of Technology or Institute of Technology, Bandung is a state, coeducational research university located in Bandung, Indonesia. Established in 1920, ITB is the oldest technology-oriented university in Indonesia....
, later receiving a master's degree in management from Syiah Kuala University in Aceh. After graduation, he began working as a consultant and entrepreneur. After the resignation of President Suharto in 1998, he became active in politics, co-founding the Aceh branch of the National Mandate Party
National Mandate Party
The National Mandate Party is a moderate Islamist political party in Indonesia. It was founded by reformists, including Amien Rais, chairman of the Muhammadiyah organization, during the Indonesian reformation...
.
From 2000 to 2004, Abubakar served as the deputy governor of Aceh, later becoming the acting governor from 2004 to 2005 after Governor Abdullah Puteh was convicted of grafting
Graft (politics)
In general graft is an unscrupulous use of one’s authority for personal gain. However, the gain may also end up in party coffers...
. As acting governor he handled the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, with the amount of civil servants at first thought to have been reduced by almost two-thirds. He also had to deal with the Free Aceh Movement
Free Aceh Movement
The Free Aceh Movement , also known as the Aceh Sumatra National Liberation Front , was a separatist group seeking independence for the Aceh region of Sumatra from Indonesia. GAM fought against Indonesian government forces in the Aceh Insurgency from 1976 to 2005, costing over 15,000 lives...
. He ran for governor in 2006 with Prosperous Justice Party member Nasir Djamil as his deputy, but lost to Irwandi Yusuf
Irwandi Yusuf
Irwandi Yusuf , is the current Governor of the Indonesian province of Aceh. He won the 2006 Aceh regional election as an independent candidate , along with Muhammad Nazar, S. Ag...
.
Abubakar was elected to the People's Representative Council
People's Representative Council
The People's Representative Council , sometimes referred to as the House of Representatives, is one of two elected national legislative assemblies in Indonesia....
in 2009, representing Aceh. He became a member of Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs. On 19 October 2011, Abubakar replaced EE Mangindaan as the Administrative Reform Minister of Indonesia.
Reception
Djamil viewed Abubakar's appointment as a way for President Susilo Bambang YudhoyonoSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono AC , is an Indonesian politician and retired Army general officer who has been President of Indonesia since 2004....
to strengthen his support in Aceh and from the National Mandate Party. Abubakar's appointment as minister was met warmly in Aceh, with several prominent Acehnese
Acehnese people
The Acehnese are a people in Aceh, Indonesia. Their homeland is located in the northern-most tip of the island of Sumatra and had a history of political struggle against the Dutch...
calling him "the best son of Aceh".
Personal life
Abubakar is married to Mutia Safrila, and together they have four children. According to the Report on Material Wealth of State Figures (Laporan Harta Kekayaan Penyelenggara Negara) published in February 2011, Abubakar has a net worth of over RpIndonesian rupiah
The rupiah is the official currency of Indonesia. Issued and controlled by the Bank of Indonesia, the ISO 4217 currency code for the Indonesian rupiah is IDR. Informally, Indonesians also use the word "perak" in referring to rupiah...
1.2 billion (US$ 150,000), the lowest of the six ministers appointed in October 2011.