This commitment is part of the Ministry’s efforts to ensure the safety of students following the collapse of a prayer room building at the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java.
"This incident serves as a learning experience for us. Going forward, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will pay special attention to the physical and technical construction aspects of ponpes, madrasahs, and other educational institutions to ensure they meet construction and safety standards," Nasaruddin told reporters during his visit to the disaster site in Sidoarjo on Tuesday.
He also highlighted that many ponpes in Indonesia are constructed through self-help efforts by the boarding schools with assistance from students.
According to Nasaruddin, this widespread practice carries risks due to suboptimal technical supervision, potentially leading to unwanted incidents.
Looking ahead, he urged ponpes and other educational institutions to enhance their focus on the technical aspects of construction processes.
"We all need to introspect. It is hoped that all construction processes, whether within pesantren or non-pesantren environments, adhere to applicable regulations for the sake of collective safety," he added.
Nasaruddin expressed hope that this tragedy would be the last of its kind in the pesantren community nationwide.
"Hopefully, this will be the last incident. In the future, we will strengthen oversight regarding the technical aspects of building construction," he said.
During the visit, Nasaruddin also praised the hard work of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), volunteers, the military, police, and other tireless parties involved in the evacuation process.
He called on the public to continue praying for the victims who have yet to be found, hoping they can be evacuated safely soon.
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Translator: Astrid, Azis Kurmala
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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