Parliament Demands Religious Affairs Ministry Release Madrasah Teacher Allowances Before Eid al-Fitr

The Deputy Chair of Commission VIII of the Indonesian Parliament, Abidin Fikri, has urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs to immediately disburse professional teacher allowances (TPG) for madrasah teachers ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H. Abidin Fikri stressed that the welfare of madrasah teachers is the full responsibility of the central government through the state budget, and that teachers’ right to receive TPG must be paid on time.

“Delays in paying madrasah teacher allowances risk triggering social unrest if teacher rights are not prioritised promptly before Lebaran,” said Abidin Fikri in a statement on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Abidin Fikri stated that based on findings during the parliamentary recess, madrasah teachers complained about delayed and untimely TPG payments. The PDI Struggle politician urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs to accelerate verification of Simpatika data so that 405,438 madrasah teachers can receive their monthly entitlements without waiting for Lebaran to arrive.

Abidin emphasised that although the disbursement of phases 3 and 4 of the Recipient Eligibility Analysis Decision (SKAKPT) has already commenced, this phased process must be accelerated to avoid disappointing thousands of religious educators whose salaries remain low.

“Commission VIII will not remain idle. We will monitor to ensure madrasah teachers’ rights are fulfilled promptly before Lebaran, avoiding demonstrations everywhere as a result of this injustice,” he asserted.

Hundreds of Honourary Madrasah Teachers Demand Civil Servant Status

The Ministry of Religious Affairs affirmed that it continues to advocate for private madrasah teachers to be appointed as Government Employees under Work Agreements (PPPK).

Madrasah teachers are not merely a profession, but a symbol of long-standing dedication in the history of education.

Regarding the recruitment of non-civil servant teachers, the ministry emphasised the importance of coordination from the outset in the process of appointing private madrasah teachers and religious teachers in schools.

Abidin also requested that the Ministry of Religious Affairs immediately improve the validity of madrasah teacher data, whether through the PPPK mechanism, civil servant appointment, or inpassing procedures.