Parents of SD-TK Students in Pamulang Urge Foundation and UIN to Exercise Restraint

Parents and guardians of pupils at Sekolah Dasar Islam Plus (SDIP) and Taman Kanak-Kanak Islam Plus (TKIP) in Pamulang, South Tangerang, Banten, have urged the parties involved in the land dispute to exercise restraint while awaiting a legally binding court ruling. They stressed that this was necessary to avoid disrupting teaching and learning activities for their children. The request followed conflict between the foundation and UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta over land ownership, which parents said had affected the school environment.

One SDIP parent, Dedi Setiawan, said on Monday (24/8) that parents did not question which party would ultimately be legally entitled to manage the school, and would accept any final and binding legal decision. “From the parents’ perspective, we ask both disputing parties, in this case the foundation, to restrain themselves until a valid legal decision is obtained,” Dedi said. “We parents will accept whichever foundation is in charge.”

Dedi stressed, however, that parents did not want conflict to recur on school premises. They asked both parties not to take actions that could cause unrest or disturb the comfort of pupils and teaching staff. “But do not let an incident like the previous one happen again,” he said. Parents were even prepared to take legal action if either disputing party again caused disruption at the school. “If either party is indicated to be causing unrest, they will be dealing with the parents,” Dedi said. “We will sue and demand compensation, both material and non-material.”

Under an agreement drawn up by SDIP and TKIP parents, both foundation parties were asked to guarantee that teaching and learning for all pupils proceeds in a conducive manner. Both parties were also asked not to take actions that could trigger unrest or disrupt the concentration of pupils and teaching staff. The agreement also stated that teaching and learning would continue according to the original arrangements, including regarding the head teacher, teaching staff, curriculum, security team and all SDIP and TKIP employees. Parents also stated they could sue the foundation if there was any intervention during the legal process, with claims covering material and non-material losses.

Once a final and binding official decision is issued, any transition or handover of school management was requested to be conducted in an orderly, peaceful and transparent manner, with the knowledge of parents. Parents also asked to be given the opportunity to inspect the condition of the school and classrooms before teaching and learning resumed normally. The agreement was said to have been made in good faith and with full responsibility to maintain teaching and learning, security and comfort for all pupils and staff of SDIP and TKIP. Parents hoped the conflict between foundation parties would not again disrupt the education process and pupil activities at the school.

Alumni of UIN Jakarta also expressed concern over the school land conflict between the foundation and parties under the university, which operates under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. They highlighted alleged intimidation and thuggery in the dispute. In a statement, the alumni group asked UIN Jakarta to stop alleged thuggish methods in the case, saying such actions would disrupt teaching and learning, especially the safety of children. “We reject all forms of violence, intimidation and thuggery from any party, under any pretext,” the statement said. More than 30 alumni had signed the joint statement, including political observer Ray Rangkuti, Burhanuddin Muhtadi and YLBHI chairman Muhammad Isnur. Ray confirmed the statement, while Burhanuddin had not responded to a text message.

The alumni also hoped the land dispute between UIN Jakarta and the school foundation would be resolved through legal channels. They asked UIN Jakarta to exercise restraint until a legally binding ruling was issued. “Do not execute a claim before there is a final and binding decision,” the statement said.

The land dispute flared again on Saturday (22/8) when dozens of people alleged to be thugs reportedly forced their way into Sekolah Islam Pamulang (SIP) at around 3 a.m. local time. Ilham Aufa, chairman of Yayasan Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta (YSH) in Pamulang, described the incident as thuggery and claimed similar actions had previously occurred at other schools. He also argued that UIN Jakarta’s takeover of SIP and several schools had no legal basis, saying it contradicted a Jakarta State Administrative Court ruling that annulled Minister of Religious Affairs Decree No. 1543 on the integration of UIN with three foundations. “There is no legal basis for UIN Jakarta to take any action regarding schools managed by the foundation, including SIP, because the legal basis in the form of the ministerial decree has been annulled by the Jakarta State Administrative Court,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zaenal Muttaqin, head of UIN Jakarta’s information and public relations centre, denied the accusation of deploying thugs in the incident.