Protests Erupt as Indonesian Lawmaker Faces Backlash Over Islamic School Funding Remarks
A controversial statement regarding the allocation of state funds for the rebuilding of an Islamic boarding school has ignited public outcry in Indonesia, culminating in a demonstration at the home of a member of parliament.
Bandung, Indonesia – On Tuesday, October 14th, protestors affiliated with the Archipelago Santri Forum (Greater Bandung) gathered at the residence of atalia Praratya, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), demanding her removal from office. The demonstration stemmed from Praratya’s call for a review of the proposed use of the State Revenue and expenditure Budget (APBN) to reconstruct facilities at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java. Demonstrators are demanding Praratya’s removal from office, accusing her of insensitivity towards victims and disrespecting the Islamic boarding school community nationwide.
The core of the dispute lies in Praratya’s call for a review of the proposed APBN funds, a position critics characterize as a failure to recognize the state’s constitutional duty to support religious education. Protesters argued that her statement created a negative perception of Islamic boarding schools and demonstrated a lack of understanding of their vital role in Indonesian society.
“We express our deep condolences for the disaster at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School which claimed the lives of the students,” stated one protestor during the demonstration.”However, we also regret Mrs. atalia’s statement highlighting the plan to use the APBN to rebuild the Islamic boarding school. This attitude is not policy-constructive and has the potential to create a negative stigma towards the Islamic boarding school.”
The protesters emphasized that the Indonesian constitution, specifically Article 31 paragraph (2) and Law Number 18 of 2019 concerning Islamic Boarding Schools, mandates state support for religious education.They asserted that utilizing the APBN for disaster relief at the Al khoziny school is not a matter of charity, but a fundamental state obligation.
“The use of the APBN is not a gift, but the state’s responsibility towards citizens who are victims of disasters,” another demonstrator proclaimed. The group also accused Praratya of neglecting her oversight duties as a member of the DPR, arguing she should be focused on ensuring budget transparency and accountability rather than fueling public debate with potentially damaging statements.
riki Ramdan Fadila, the action coordinator, explained that the movement arose from a sense of solidarity and concern regarding the potential implications of Praratya’s remarks. “Today’s action is a form of solidarity with the Al Khoziny islamic Boarding School,whose legality is being wagered by the state,” fadila stated. “The statement that emerged from the legislature has formed an opinion as if there where serious violations within the Islamic boarding school.This creates a bad view of the Islamic boarding school in the eyes of the public.”
Fadila further argued that focusing on alleged violations at Al Khoziny risks unfairly tarnishing the reputation of Islamic boarding schools across the nation. He drew parallels to other national tragedies and unresolved issues, questioning why Islamic schools are being subjected to such intense scrutiny. “If we talk about serious violations, what’s up with the Kanjuruhan tragedy? What’s the news about unresolved human rights violations? What are the news about corruption cases?” he asked.
Praratya, a politician from the Golkar faction, had previously urged the government to carefully review the proposed use of APBN funds for the Al Khoziny reconstruction. She maintained that the allocation process must be transparent and equitable.
“The proposed use of the APBN must be reviewed very seriously, while ensuring that the legal process runs and future policies are fairer, more transparent and do not give rise to social jealousy,” Praratya explained. She acknowledged public anxieties, emphasizing the need to avoid the perception that negligent institutions are being prioritized over others in need of disaster relief.
Praratya also stressed the importance of upholding the legal process and ensuring accountability in the Al khoziny case, while together affirming the state’s obligation to protect Islamic boarding schools and religious education. “Secondly, the state has an obligation to protect islamic boarding schools and the continuity of religious education. Not onyl in Al Khoziny, but also thousands of Islamic boarding schools or other religious education institutions whose buildings are old and at risk,” she said.
