Ahead Of The New Academic Year, No More Parents Stories Get Extortion Practices

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, reminded that the process of accepting New Students (PPDB) must be free from the practice of levy (Pungli). The Saber Pungli Task Force must go to the field to oversee every stage of the process.

"Entering the new school school year, what needs to be considered is anticipating the practice of extortion carried out by individuals in order to obtain personal gain alone. This must be a priority for the Government in supervising the PPDB process," said Puan, Wednesday, June 14.

Puan also highlighted the practice of alleged PPDB Extortion that occurred in Garut, West Java. The practice of extortion is allegedly carried out by unscrupulous school committees at one of the Vocational Schools in Garut who asked for money from students' parents amounting to Rp. 5 million to Rp. 7 million so that the child can be prioritized to enter the school.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives criticized the alleged extortion practice. Puan emphasized that there was no justification for the behavior of extortion.

Puan encouraged the Government through the Saber Extortion Task Force to carry out a thorough investigation of the alleged illegal levies practices. According to him, there must be concrete steps in the field.

"The Saber Extortion Task Force must also go to the field more to supervise new student admissions. This is a form of preventive action from the authorities so that extortion does not run rampant during the new school year," said Puan.

Puan also encouraged the Saber Extortion Task Force to oversee the assistance of the Indonesia Smart Program (PIP) which is vulnerable to being used by elements. Puan said that the assistance program from the Government must be accepted by those who are entitled.

As is known, there are two unscrupulous teachers in Lumajang, East Java, who take advantage of the ignorance of their parents in the PIP disbursement process. The mode is to withdraw contributions under the pretext of administrative costs for students who receive aid funds.

Puan also asked the Government to conduct more massive socialization regarding aid programs to the public. According to him, information must be targeted down so that people understand that there is no charge from the Government assistance program.

"The lack of socialization has the potential to cause extortion practices. Even though the PIP program is free without any administrative fees," said Puan.

"So re-intensify PPDB socialization in order to avoid extortion practices. This is a manifestation so that our children who are the next generation of the nation get educational rights from the State," he added.

Furthermore, Puan hopes that massive socialization can make parents or guardians of students sensitive to extortion practices that are still found in various regions.

"So that parents can identify if there are allegations of illegal levies and provide reports," said Puan.

On the other hand, Puan also encourages the Saber Extortion Task Force in each region to make a hotline or public complaint service regarding extortion practices. That way, the authorities can respond quickly if there is a extortion report that occurs.

"This task force exists at the regional level, so try to create a hotline for complaints from people who want to report extortion so that people know where to report when they become victims or know of extortion practices," he urged.

Puan also invited all stakeholders to jointly supervise extortion practices within educational institutions. In particular, in the process of accepting students in this new school year.

"We need to establish an honest, transparent, and dignified educational environment, which can provide equal opportunities for all individuals to get the education they need for a better future," concluded Puan.