AMALI challenges pesantren funding clauses in MK, cites bias

Asosiasi Ma’had Aly Indonesia backed a judicial review of Law No. 18 of 2019 on Pesantren at the Constitutional Court, challenging wording in Article 48 paragraphs (2) and (3) that it says makes the state’s duty to fund pesantren education unclear. AMALI Chairman Nur Salikin said the impact is already felt by Ma'had Aly, Pendidikan Diniyah Formal and Satuan Pendidikan Muadalah. He said Ma'had Aly lecturers still cannot access lecturer certification, do not yet have NIDN and are not connected to the national higher-education system. Mahasantri are also not listed in PDDikti, so they cannot receive aid such as KIP Kuliah. EMIS data from the Religious Affairs Ministry records about 1,548 Ma'had Aly lecturers in Indonesia, with pay generally ranging from Rp500 ribu to Rp2 juta per month. AMALI also called for a special allocation from Dana Abadi Pesantren.