Suryadharma Ali

Suryadharma Ali (19 September 1956 – 31 July 2025) was an Indonesian politician. He was the chairman of the United Development Party from 2007 to 2014 as well as the Minister of Religious Affairs from 2009 to 2014 and the Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises from 2004 to 2009 under then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Education He had 5 younger siblings. He received education in SDN Tanjung Priok, Pesantren Darul Qur'an Cisarua Bogor, and SLTA and Pesantren Al Falak Pegentongan Bogor. He completed undergraduate education in IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah Faculty of Tarbiyah Islamic Studies program on 1984 and postgraduate education on sociology in the University of Indonesia Faculty of Social and Political Sciences on 2003. At college, he was the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (Pergerakan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia, PMII) Ciputat Branch Chairperson. After graduating, on PMII Congress VII in Bandung, he was elected the 1985-1988 PMII Board Chairperson, beating Iqbal Assegaf by one vote.

Professional career On 1985, he started working at Hero Supermarket, and on 1999, he became its deputy director. He were also active in various Indonesian retail association organisations.

Political career In February 2007, he was elected the United Development Party chairperson, replacing Hamzah Haz. His chairpersonship was assisted by vice chairperson Chozin Chumaidy, secretary-general Irgan Mahfiz, treasurer Suharso Monoarfa, central advisory council head Bachtiar Chamsyah, syariah council head KH Maimun Zubair, and expert council head Barlianta Harahap.

Throughout his career, Suryadharma was seen as a religious traditionalist who was often unwilling to compromise on issues. As religious affairs minister Suryadharma was unwilling to extend government recognition to the Baháʼí Faith, a minority group in the country. Shortly after being accused in 2014, Suryadharma resigned as minister of religious affairs.

Death Suryadharma died at the Mayapada Hospital in Kuningan, South Jakarta, Jakarta on 31 July 2025 4.25 WIB, at the age of 68. He was buried after Zuhr at Pesantren Miftahul'Ulum, Bekasi Regency.

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