Jakarta – The leadership baton of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) was officially handed over by Speaker of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, Adama Bictogo, to Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, during the 19th PUIC Conference held at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta. This handover marks the beginning of a new, transformative, and inclusive era of Indonesia’s leadership in the Islamic world’s parliamentary arena.
Speaker Puan Maharani reiterated the Indonesian Parliament’s commitment to making PUIC an effective platform for advancing peace, justice, and development across the Muslim world. She emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional capacity and promoting good governance in response to today’s global crises.
“We want to prove that parliaments can play a significant role in crafting global solutions—especially for OIC member states,” she stated.
Earlier, Adama Bictogo expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s willingness to host the conference and assume PUIC leadership. He voiced confidence that under Puan Maharani’s leadership, PUIC would become more progressive and responsive to the challenges faced by the Islamic world.
Deputy Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (BKSAP) of DPR RI, Ravindra Airlangga, also highlighted the importance of strengthening economic cooperation among OIC member countries, particularly in the halal trade sector. According to him, intra-OIC trade remains relatively low and requires collective policy initiatives to unlock its potential.
“The global halal market has tremendous potential. If OIC countries can synergize, this will become a powerful driver of the Islamic world’s economy,” he said.
He added that Indonesia, with the world’s largest Muslim population and a rapidly growing halal industry, is well positioned to take the lead. Hence, Indonesia’s leadership in PUIC is expected to become a catalyst for stronger halal trade among OIC members.
During the forum, Puan Maharani also reaffirmed Indonesia’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s struggle for independence.
“We must stand firm in defending the Palestinian people’s right to freedom, which has long been denied,” she asserted.
She also called on OIC member parliaments to enhance women’s participation in politics and leadership.
“Parliaments must set an example in promoting gender equality and empowering women,” she added.
Indonesia’s leadership in PUIC marks a strategic step toward fostering solidarity, peace, and prosperity in the Islamic world. With its commitment to good governance, human rights protection, and the strengthening of the halal economy, Indonesia is expected to bring fresh momentum to the future of OIC member nations.
