Irwan Prayitno (born 20 December 1963 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia), bearing the title Datuak Rajo Bandaro Basa or commonly known by his initials IP, is an Indonesian psychologist, academic, and politician. He served as the Governor of West Sumatra for two terms, following his victories in the 2010 and 2015 gubernatorial elections. Previously, he was a member of the People's Representative Council for three terms starting in 1999, representing the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). He is known as the founder of the Adzkia Foundation, and he has remained active in teaching and Islamic preaching (da'wah) throughout his career.
Irwan completed his secondary education in Padang. He became involved as a da'wah activist while studying at the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Indonesia in 1982. Graduating in 1988, he returned to Padang to establish the Adzkia Education Foundation while working as a part-time human resources development consultant for various companies and as a lecturer in industrial psychology. Following the establishment of the Justice Party (PK) in 1998, Irwan formed and chaired the PK representation in Malaysia while pursuing his doctoral studies at University of Putra Malaysia. Through PK, which later became PKS, Irwan was elected as a member of the DPR representing West Sumatra for three terms following the 1999, 2004, and 2009 elections.
During his time in parliament, Irwan contributed his perspectives to the drafting of several bills, including the use of geothermal alternative energy. As a politician, he was noted for his lobbying skills and once turned down an offer to become a minister. Outside of parliament, Irwan is a professor of HR management at the Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta, an active writer, and continues his preaching. He is also an extraordinary professor of psychology at the State University of Padang (UNP).
Since 15 August 2010, he began serving as the Governor of West Sumatra, facing the devastation of public infrastructure and facilities following the 2009 earthquake, which impacted economic growth. The rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts under his leadership received appreciation from the central government.
Since August 2021, after completing his term as Governor of West Sumatra, Irwan became the Rector of Adzkia University on 30 September 2021. Currently, Irwan is a professor at the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII) in the Faculty of Economics and Business since August 2024. Irwan also serves as the Chairman of the PKS Central Executive Board's Expert Council for the 2020-2025 term. Additionally, Irwan is on the management board of PB Inkanas and a Member of the Inkanas Board of Teachers, as a karateka holding a 7th Dan black belt.
Background Born in Yogyakarta on 20 December 1963, Irwan Prayitno is the first of four children to a Minangkabau couple, Djamrul Djamal (father) and Sudarni Sayuti (mother). His father is from Simabur, Tanah Datar, while his mother is from Nagari Pauh IX—which is now administratively part of Kuranji district, Padang. Despite his Minangkabau blood, Irwan's parents gave him a Javanese name rather than a Minangkabau name as a consequence of the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) incident. Although not explicitly stated by his parents, Irwan suspects he was given a Javanese name to "quickly get a job" and because it possesses a good meaning.
His father and mother were both lecturers. They both graduated from PTAIN Yogyakarta (now Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta). After giving birth to their first child, the couple briefly settled in Semarang until Irwan was three years old, and moved to Cirebon when Irwan entered elementary school. After Irwan graduated from elementary school in Cirebon in 1976, they moved to Padang due to teaching duties at IAIN Imam Bonjol.
Later, Irwan was crowned as the penghulu of the Tanjung clan with the title Datuak Rajo Bandaro Basa in his mother's village, Kuranji.Padang Ekspres. 27 March 2005. "Saya Adalah Putera Minang Tulen, Cuma Numpang Lahir Di Pulau Jawa." The title was previously held by Irwan's maternal uncle (ninik mamak), Saumar. The title inauguration ceremony took place on 13 February 2005, attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, MPR Chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid, and several ministers from the United Indonesia Cabinet.
Education
Irwan attended secondary education at SMP Negeri 1 Padang (1976–1979) and SMA Negeri 3 Padang (1979–1982). During high school, he became involved in organizational activities, joining the student council board in his second and third years. Throughout high school, he was always trusted as class president and achieved class valedictorian and overall valedictorian honors. Irwan initially wanted to continue his studies at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) along with his friends. However, due to an eye problem, he changed his choice to the University of Indonesia (UI) and was accepted into the Faculty of Psychology.
In college, Irwan actively participated in Islamic discussions and student associations. He joined the Jakarta branch of the Muslim Students' Association (HMI). There, he experienced the repressive style of Suharto's New Order government towards Islamic movements. In 1984, he was appointed Chairman of the HMI Commissariat of the UI Faculty of Psychology. In 1986, following government intervention forcing the adoption of Pancasila as the sole ideology, HMI changed its basis to Pancasila; concurrently, Irwan resigned from his HMI membership. After that, he followed smaller-scale Islamic movements, shifting to campus mosques through Tarbiyah groups oriented towards the development of Islamic creed (aqidah) and morals (akhlaq).
Together with his friends, Irwan frequently attended halaqah/liqo. After two meetings of the Campus Da'wah Institution Gathering Forum in 1984, he was involved in socializing the LDK struggle guidelines or khittah, traveling to cities in West Sumatra. He met and found young preachers like Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Marfendi, and Rafdinal, who later became involved in the management of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).
During his studies, aside from keeping busy with various student activities, he spent a lot of time outside campus preaching, becoming a counselor at SMA Islam PB Sudirman Jakarta,Profil Irwan Prayitno di VIVA.co.id. SMP Muhammadiyah 39, and the Nurul Fikri tutoring center. Academically, he became a research assistant. In 1985, at the age of 22, Irwan married Nevi Zuairina, a UI chemistry student he met during his third semester. With his wife, Irwan continued to preach and was active in social and community activities. Irwan's busy schedule caused his studies to slow down. According to him, what he sought in education was not merely grades, but self-development. He completed his degree after six years with a low GPA of 2.02 because he had to divide his time to earn a living. Nevertheless, he was among the fastest graduates in his class. After graduating, Irwan and his wife's da'wah activities continued by developing da'wah activities at Andalas University and IKIP Padang (now State University of Padang).
Founding Adzkia
After graduating from UI, Irwan decided to return to Padang to preach, teach courses, and work as a psychologist. He also taught as an industrial psychology lecturer at Aqabah, Bukittinggi and Andalas University, Padang. Meanwhile, he pioneered and established a foundation in the field of education with a capital of Rp15,000. Initially, Irwan opened the Adzkia tutoring course in Lolong in 1987 (the forerunner of PT Adzkia Masa Depan, which has at least 19 branches in Indonesia). At that time, he was assisted by Mahyeldi Ansharullah as manager and Syukri Arief as a teacher. In 1988, the course classes moved to the Islamic Teachers Association (PGAI) school complex in Jati. Starting from a tutoring course, Irwan formed the Adzkia Education Foundation which gradually accommodated kindergartens up to higher education. In 1994, Adzkia had a higher education level, in addition to kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and vocational school.Irwan Prayitno. In fostering students, he poured the psychological knowledge he gained in college.
In 1992, he was accepted to continue his studies at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas with the help of Nur Mahmudi Ismail, but because he failed to obtain a visa, he changed his choice to Malaysia. In 1995, Irwan took classes in Selangor, Malaysia while bringing his wife and children. However, due to his low GPA, his application was rejected several times. Undeterred, with the help of Prof. Sahrim Hj. Ahmad, he was finally accepted on probation. To the Rector of University of Putra Malaysia (UPM) Prof. Azimi Hamzah, he guaranteed he could complete his studies in three semesters. He took a master's degree in Human Resource Development at UPM, Selangor. Graduating one and a half years early in 1996, he continued his doctoral studies at the same campus.
Every day in Selangor, he had to work hard to take care of his family. At that time, he already had seven children. He and his wife shared the duties because there were no helpers. Irwan admitted that among his activities, he only allocated about 10 to 20 percent for college. His da'wah activities continued. In fact, he preached as far as London, England; Maryland, USA; Sydney and Perth, Australia. He had to do his coursework while traveling in cars, planes, or trains.
When he was nominated by the Justice Party as a legislative candidate for the DPR, Irwan was preparing for his final doctoral exams. Despite campaigning for the Tanah Datar electoral district in the 1999 Indonesian legislative election, he managed to complete his studies for a PhD with a cum laude GPA of 3.97 in 2000."Irwan Prayitno, Gubernur Peraih Ph.D Dengan IPK Cumlaude 3,97". Islamedia.co. 17 March 2014. Returning to Indonesia, he divided his duties in the legislature and his academic activities. Since 2003, he taught postgraduate programs at the Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta and was inaugurated as a professor on 1 September 2008."UMJ: Kontribusi untuk Bangsa". Republika. 7 March 2012. Until he became the Governor of West Sumatra since 2010, he still managed to teach 12 times in one semester.
People's Representative Council
When the Justice Party was inaugurated on 20 July 1998, Irwan was appointed as the Chairman of the PK Representation in Malaysia. He was asked for his willingness to be nominated as a legislative candidate by PK representing the West Sumatra electoral district. Following the results of the 1999 Indonesian legislative election, PK only received 1.4 million votes or 1.7% of the total voters. PK secured seven cadres in the DPR, including himself. Together with the National Mandate Party (PAN) which gathered 37 DPR seats, the two parties joined to form the Reform Faction with Hatta Rajasa as chairman and Irwan Prayitno as vice chairman. The faction led Irwan to become the Chairman of Commission VIII. He led Commission VIII which among other things deals with energy and mineral resources issues. During his time in the DPR, Hatta admitted their faction was militant. A. M. Fatwa mentioned Irwan as the only commission chairman in the DPR who was irreplaceable for five years.
Approaching 1 April 2000, the government almost implemented an increase in fuel prices. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who was then serving as the Minister of Mines and Energy, called Irwan the night before the announcement of the fuel price increase, asking about the readiness for the fuel price hike. "I said, we in the DPR are not ready for that increase," Irwan recalled. On the announcement day 31 March 2000, President Abdurrahman Wahid decided to postpone the plan to raise fuel prices. After discussions with the DPR, the government officially enacted the fuel price hike on 1 October 2000.