Oyuk Ivani Siagian, Jakarta – Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar apologized for a video clip containing his bad remarks about teachers. In the video circulating on social media, the Minister stated that the teaching profession aims to educate people, not simply to make money. In the video, he said that if you want to make money, don't become a teacher, but rather a trader.
According to Nasaruddin, the video clip circulating on social media has given rise to various interpretations and hurt the feelings of teachers. "I once again sincerely apologize. I had no intention whatsoever to denigrate the teaching profession. On the contrary, I want to emphasize that teaching is a very noble profession, as I have stated," Nasaruddin said in a press statement on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Nasaruddin claimed to come from a family of educators. Therefore, he fully understands that despite the nobility of the teaching profession, they are still human beings who need adequate welfare.
He stated that his ministry will remain committed to championing teacher welfare. Nasaruddin said his ministry has realized an increase in professional allowances for 227,147 non-civil servant teachers who earn Rp 1.5 million per month. The allowance increased by Rp 500,000, resulting in a monthly income of Rp 2 million for these teachers.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs also provided competency development for 102,000 madrasah (Islamic school) and religious education (Islamic religious education) teachers. They were sent to participate in in-service Teacher Professional Education (PPG). He claimed that this year's PPG program increased by 700 percent. "Throughout 2025, 206,411 teachers will participate in this important program, while in 2024 only 29,933 participated," he said.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has appointed 52,000 honorary teachers as Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK) over the past three years. "All of this is a concrete manifestation of the state's commitment to improving the welfare and strengthening the capacity of teachers," said Nasaruddin.
Previously, Nasaruddin Umar's statement linking the teaching profession to that of traders went viral on social media. Nasaruddin made this statement during a Teacher Professional Education program at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, South Tangerang, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
In a video clip circulating on social media, Nasaruddin urged teachers not to follow the path of traders in making money. He said the primary purpose of teachers is to educate people. "If you want to make money, don't become a teacher, become a trader," he said.