Muhammadiah Organization To Immediately Establish University In Malaysia

JAKARTA, Jul 18 (Antara) - Malaysian Education Minister Maszlee Malik expressed support to the plan of Muhammadiyah University's central executive board to establish the University of Muhammadiyah in that neighboring country. "Thank God, during a meeting held at Putrajaya building on Tuesday, Malaysian Minister Malik really extended his support to the plan of Muhammadiyah," Indonesian delegation leader, Prof. Dr Suyatno, who represented the Muhammadiyah organization of Indonesia, stated from Malaysia during a cell phone conversation on Wednesday. In fact, the 44-year-old Malaysian minister also said he would contribute to the education institution in Indonesia as a form of savings for the future as well as to express his admiration to the Buya Hamka figure, he noted. "Hopefully, our plan would be materialized starting this year, but it must meet all the required permissions. It is a process," he remarked. If the University of Muhammadiyah in Malaysia can be built, it will be the first Muhammadiyah campus abroad, he pointed out. The number of educational institutions owned by Muhammadiyah currently reaches more than 10 thousand, comprising kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, boarding school, and up to college. Currently, the Muhammadiyah organization manages 173 campuses across Indonesia comprising 45 universities while the rest are high schools, academic institutions, and polytechnics. Before meeting the Malaysian education minister, the delegates of PP Muhammadiyah met with Chairman of the Director of Higher Education of Malaysia Siti Hamisah Tapsir. Also present along with Prof. Dr. Suyatno during a meeting at the Parliament Complex of Malaysia in Putrajaya were Chairman of the Assembly of Higher Education and Research and Development PP Muhammadiyah Prof. Lincolin Arsyad and Rector of Muhammadiyah University of East Kalimantan (UMKT) Prof. Bambang Setiaji. Vice Rector of Surakarta Muhammadiyah University Prof. Sarjito, Vice Chancellor Uhamka Prof Gunawan SP, Vice Rector of UMKT Prof Waluyo, and Chairman of Special Branch of Muhammadiyah Malaysia Prof. Sonny Zulhuda also attended the meeting.