Kompas sbs – 18 juli 2026 Tangerang City – Allegations of illegal money requests during the Student Admission Process (PPDB) in several schools across Tangerang City have once again raised serious public concern. Complaints from parents have sparked fears that the admission process may be vulnerable to practices that undermine transparency, fairness, and equal access to education.
Responding to these reports, community leader and education observer Saipul Bahri called on the Tangerang City Education Office to launch an immediate, comprehensive, and transparent investigation into every allegation submitted by parents. He stressed that every complaint must be examined professionally and impartially to determine the facts.
According to Saipul Bahri, he has received multiple reports from parents alleging that certain individuals requested money under the pretext of facilitating school admissions. While emphasizing that these claims must be verified through official procedures, he warned that any proven misconduct would represent a serious betrayal of public trust.
“If these allegations are confirmed through an official investigation, they would constitute a grave violation of public confidence and the fundamental principle that education must be accessible without unlawful financial demands,” Saipul Bahri said.
As a long-time education observer in Tangerang City, Saipul Bahri stated that similar complaints have surfaced repeatedly over the years during every new student admission period, from elementary schools to junior and senior high schools.
“This is not a new concern. Every admission season, parents continue to voice similar complaints. That is precisely why the Education Office must treat these reports seriously, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and ensure that the admission process remains transparent, accountable, and free from any form of abuse,” he asserted.
Saipul Bahri warned that if allegations of unofficial payments are ignored, they could create opportunities for illegal levies that place unnecessary financial pressure on families seeking access to education for their children. He argued that public education must never become a system where financial influence determines educational opportunities.
He further urged the Tangerang City Government to tighten supervision over every stage of the PPDB process, improve complaint-handling mechanisms, and guarantee that every report submitted by the public receives an independent and transparent review.
Regarding legal accountability, Saipul Bahri emphasized that any official or individual proven to have engaged in illegal levies must face firm action under Indonesian law. He referred to Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, including Article 12(e) where applicable, as well as Presidential Regulation No. 87 of 2016, which established the Illegal Levies Eradication Task Force (Saber Pungli).
“The law must apply equally to everyone. If an investigation proves that anyone abused the admission process by demanding unlawful payments, there should be zero tolerance. Administrative sanctions alone are not enough where criminal elements are established. Accountability must be enforced in accordance with the law,” he stressed.
Saipul Bahri also encouraged parents who believe they have been affected, or who possess credible evidence of alleged misconduct, to submit formal complaints to the Education Office, regional inspectors, law enforcement authorities, or the Saber Pungli Task Force. He emphasized that documented evidence is essential to ensure a fair and objective investigation.
Concluding his statement, Saipul Bahri urged the Tangerang City Education Office to respond decisively and transparently in order to restore public confidence in the education system.
“Public trust is earned through transparency, integrity, and consistent enforcement of the law. Every child deserves equal access to education, free from any practice that, if proven, violates legal and ethical standards. The integrity of Indonesia’s education system must be protected without compromise,” Saipul Bahri concluded.
Red/tim. Anas Gondrong
