Criticized For Rebuilding Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School Using The State Budget, Cak Imin Gives Reasons

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (Menko PM) Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin (right) at a press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday (14/10/2025). (ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin explained the reason for the government to use the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) to help rebuild the collapsed Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School.

According to him, this step is a tangible form of the state's presence in ensuring the safety and comfort of the student learning process.

"The most important thing for the government is to provide protection and a sense of security for learning activities. That is the government's obligation, and that is a form of state presence," said Cak Imin at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 14, as reported by ANTARA.

He emphasized that the use of the APBN is not only a matter of physical assistance, but also a moral responsibility to ensure that the world of education, including pesantren, can run without obstacles.

Responding to the view that the government should first enforce the law regarding the alleged negligence in the incident, Cak Imin stated that the two processes could go hand in hand.

"Regarding negligence or mistakes, it is a legal matter that must still be carried out. However, the fact that there are young people who are studying and must be protected is the government's priority," he said.

He also added that the use of APBN funds was considered important so that post-event handling could be carried out quickly and effectively.

"Friends who criticize why Islamic boarding schools are helped need to know, pesantren are the institution that most rarely gets help from the government," he said.

Cak Imin said that President Prabowo Subianto paid great attention to Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, which have been an important part of the formation of the nation's character.

Pesantren grew from self-help and mutual cooperation values. They are community forces that must be maintained by the government. Pesantren independence needs to be supported because community initiatives are much more important," he said.

He added that although the state budget is limited, the government still has a responsibility to uphold, guard and supervise so that similar incidents do not happen again in the future.