Saifullah Yusuf
H. Saifullah Yusuf, better known by his nickname Gus Ipul, is an Indonesian politician who currently serves as the Minister of Social Affairs under Joko Widodo administration, replacing Tri Rismaharini due to her resignation. He also previously held several government offices, such as the Mayor of Pasuruan, former Vice Governor of East Java, and former Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration.
Education
Gus Ipul holds a master's degree in Social and Politics Study Faculty from National University in Jakarta.Career
Early career
Gus Ipul started his political career through GP Ansor, the youth wing of Nahdlatul Ulama. He served as the chief of GP Ansor for two terms, from 2000–2005 and 2005–2010. Prior to this, he was acting chief of GP Ansor, replacing Iqbal Assegaf, who had died on 1999. After finishing his tenure as chief of GP Ansor, he was elected as one of Nahdlatul Ulama leaders under the leadership of KH. Said Aqil Siraj.Member of Parliament
Gus Ipul was elected as member of House of Representatives during the 1999 Indonesian legislative election, running as a candidate for PDI-P. His time in PDI-P serves as a symbol of the political alliance between Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Sukarnoputri as Gus Ipul was considered as Wahid's closest aide and being placed in PDI-P. As relations between Gus Dur and Megawati worsen on 2001, Gus Ipul resigned from the House of Representatives and left PDI-P while subsequently joined PKB.During the PKB party congress, he was elected as secretary general of the party, an optimal position since he had competed with Alwi Shihab for the position of party chairman.
Minister of Development of Disadvantaged Regions
He was appointed Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions in the First United Indonesia Cabinet from October 2004 to May 2007. As a minister, he actively visited many disadvantaged regions. However he had a short tenure, as PKB suffered internal strife that lead up of him being fired from his position as secretary general, indirectly resulting in the loss of his position. As he is no longer considered as representative of PKB in the government, both of his position as secretary general of PKB and his ministerial position was succeeded by Lukman Edy.Vice Governor
Gus Ipul participated the 2008 East Java gubernatorial election as the running mate of Soekarwo with their candidacy being supported by Democratic Party, Prosperous Justice Party, and National Mandate Party. The election was held in 2 rounds with another recount on Bangkalan Regency and Sampang Regency on 21 January 2009. The pair won 50,2% of all votes against Khofifah Indar Parawansa who won 49,8%. He assumed the office of Vice Governor of East Java on 12 February 2009, inaugurated by Minister of Home Affairs Mardiyanto.Soekarwo once again called Gus Ipul as his running mate in the 2013 East Java gubernatorial election with a much broader support with Golkar and Hanura joined in endorsing the pair. Gus Ipul was previously being rumored to run against Soekarwo but ultimately choose to remain as his running mate on moral and political grounds. In the rematch election against Khofifah, the pair once again won the election this time with just 47,25% of the vote despite the increase in number of votes compared to 2008. They were then inaugurated on February 12, 2014 by Minister of Home Affairs Gamawan Fauzi and was attended by all regents and mayors of East Java, ministers of the Second United Indonesia Cabinet, other governors and public figures of East Java.