“The final say is not with me, but with Mr. Iskandar. In principle, I and Public Works Minister (Dody Hanggodo) are ready for this plan,” he stated at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
Sadewa said he would not object to allocating the State Budget (APBN) for the rehabilitation of the Islamic boarding school or pesantren, whose four-story building collapsed on September 29, affecting 171 people, with 104 survivors.
“I am always ready to give the green light as the keeper of the budget. I do not find any issue as long as our funds are mobilized properly and timely with Minister Iskandar’s approval,” the state treasurer remarked.
Earlier, Minister Iskandar confirmed that the government was considering channeling a portion of the APBN to help the pesantren in Sidoarjo, East Java, rebuild its collapsed building.
He stressed that the decision reflects the government’s commitment to accelerating recovery and reconstruction after the disaster while ensuring safety in teaching and learning environments.
“The government regards efforts to guarantee safety in education as its responsibility and top priority. This step is a testament to the government’s presence,” Iskandar said at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday (October 14).
Amid public pressure for legal action against those allegedly negligent, Iskandar underlined that law enforcement would proceed alongside safety improvements.
“Our children bear the future of this nation. Legal action over wrongdoing or negligence must be taken, but ensuring the safety of our young people in their studies is of chief importance,” he stated.
Iskandar added that President Prabowo Subianto has shown deep concern for pesantrens, which have long played a crucial role in shaping national identity, even before Indonesia’s independence.
In response to the fatal collapse, President Prabowo ordered a nationwide evaluation of the structural integrity of pesantren buildings to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent future incidents.
Related news: Govt to renovate all at-risk religious sites, not only schools
Related news: State funds allocated for Al Khoziny School rehabilitation: Minister
Translator: Aji C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
