The recent devastating collapse of the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) in Sidoarjo, East Java, has ignited urgent calls for a thorough criminal investigation. Addressing the gravity of the situation, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad affirmed that while the legal proceedings fall squarely under the purview of the police, the paramount concern must be proactive mitigation to avert similar tragedies in the future.
Speaking to reporters at the Senayan Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (October 9), Dasco reiterated, “Regarding the legal domain, that is entirely the police’s responsibility.” He then shifted focus to the preventative aspects, underscoring, “What is crucial is that we implement effective mitigation strategies to ensure such an incident never recurs in any existing pesantren nationwide.”
Beyond immediate investigations, Dasco also urged the government to implement rigorous supervision over older pesantren buildings. He emphasized that the physical condition and structural integrity of these venerable institutions demand serious attention to safeguard the well-being of thousands of students, known as santri. “Essentially, the DPR RI will actively advocate for the government to prioritize and provide assistance for the renovation or reinforcement of aging and dilapidated pesantren structures, thereby preventing a recurrence of yesterday’s tragic events,” he stated.
The catastrophic incident at Al-Khoziny Ponpes occurred on the afternoon of Monday, September 29, around 3:00 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB), tragically striking while students were engaged in Asr prayers. Preliminary findings by authorities point towards a suspected construction failure as the primary cause. In response, the East Java Regional Police swiftly formed a dedicated investigative team, committed to uncovering the precise circumstances leading to the building’s collapse.
Following intensive efforts, search and evacuation operations at the site were officially concluded on Tuesday, October 7. The true scale of the tragedy became clearer with data released by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). As of Monday evening, a total of 171 individuals had been evacuated from the debris. While 104 people were fortunately declared safe, the devastating toll confirmed 67 fatalities, a grim count that tragically included eight unidentified body parts discovered amidst the wreckage.
Summary
The Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, tragically collapsed on September 29 during Asr prayers, resulting in 67 fatalities and the evacuation of 171 individuals. Preliminary findings indicate a suspected construction failure as the cause, prompting the East Java Regional Police to form a dedicated investigative team. Search and evacuation operations at the site concluded on October 7.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, emphasized the police’s role in the investigation while also calling for proactive mitigation efforts to prevent future incidents. He urged the government to implement rigorous supervision over older pesantren buildings and provide assistance for their renovation or reinforcement. This initiative aims to safeguard students and ensure the structural integrity of these institutions nationwide.