"We received no aid from the Middle East countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or Egypt. All of the funds came from Nusantara (Indonesia). We are proud because our nation is not stingy as proven by the construction of the school which is still operating until now," he told newsmen at the school here on Wednesday afternoon.
He said the aid was not linked with what many parties had accused of namely coming from followers of the Indonesia Islamic State (NII) movement who had collected them illegally.
"It is impossible for Al Zaytun to be built that way," he said.
Upon a reporter`s question Panji Gumilang also said that he did not have hundred billions worth of funds in Century Bank when it was led by Robert Tantular as told by some parties.
At the conference which was also attended by religious affairs minister Suryadharma Ali who was visiting the school Panji Gumilang said education in the school shuns criminal acts and even if a student is found stealing other student`s belongings he/she would immediately be taken to a school tribunal. "His/her parents would be invited to help give guidance," he said.
He said until now seven classes had been graduated from the school and they had all served the community and so far he had never received any report about the school graduates violating regulations.
"Even during a direct interview at TV One an Al Zaytun graduate admitted he was grateful for following the system of education here that had made him become a successful businessman," he said.
Regarding transparancy in the management of funds from donors Panji Gumilang said there was no need for telling the public everytime it received donations as well as their use. "Why should they be, while it is not done either in others," he said.
He asked anyone wishing to know the management of Al Zaytun funds to check with the tax office because every year the school pays tax.
Minister Suryadharma earlier said that the school was not linked with the NII organization because the school teaches tolerance.
Panji Gumilang also said that he had never entered into NII as some quarters had accused him of. "I am not linked with NII," he said.(*)
(H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
