MAN 2 Jakarta Denies Extortion of Student Parents: Rp 2.5 Million Donation Is Voluntary

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - MAN 2 Jakarta has denied allegations of illegal levies on student parents related to an educational donation set at Rp 2.5 million.

MAN 2 Jakarta Principal Aceng Solihin stressed that the donations collected through the MAN 2 Jakarta Committee are voluntary and not obligatory for parents.

The Rp 2.5 million figure listed on the form is just one option, not an amount that must be paid.

“If parents ultimately choose not to contribute, that’s fine. We have never requested, demanded, or obligated anyone. It is voluntary and based on capability,” Aceng said when met by Kompas.com at MAN 2 Jakarta on Tuesday (15/9/2026).

In line with this, MAN 2 Jakarta Committee Chair Dwi Hartanti explained that the fundraising mechanism adheres to the Ministry of Religious Affairs Regulation (PMA) No. 16 of 2020 and technical guidelines on committee fund management.

Dwi explained that before discussing donation amounts, the committee first reviews the programs the madrasa plans to run together with parents.

These programs cover needs in curriculum, student affairs, public relations, as well as facilities and infrastructure.

Parents are then given the opportunity to approve or reject the proposed programs before any financial discussions take place.

“We first ask if they agree or disagree with the program, whether to proceed or not, before moving on to discuss the amounts,” Dwi said.

Once the programs are agreed upon, parents are provided with several donation schemes based on their ability.

The form includes options based on percentages, ranging from 50 percent amounting to Rp 1,256,500 up to 100 percent totaling Rp 2,513,000.

However, Dwi emphasized that parents are not obliged to choose any of the listed amounts.

Parents may even specify other amounts according to their ability or choose not to contribute at all.

“For example, 100 percent corresponds to such amount, 50 percent to another, and so on. But on the top of the form, we provide blank spaces. These spaces allow those who don’t fill it in or don’t want to donate to simply leave it empty,” Dwi said.

Dwi also said that parents who enter Rp 0 will not face any issues from the committee.

“Zero rupiah is also fine. This letter serves as the agreed minutes from the committee meeting with the parents,” she said.

Dwi noted that the collected donation funds are managed by the MAN 2 Jakarta Committee, not the madrasa staff.

The funds go into the committee’s bank account and all transactions are conducted through the banking system.

Use of the funds must align with the agreed programs.

Each activity head is required to submit an accountability report after utilizing the funds.

Additionally, the committee’s financial transparency reports are regularly shared with parents via WhatsApp.

These reports include projections of expected receipts and the actual funds collected.

“At a minimum every six months, but actually every three months we also provide updates via WhatsApp,” said Dwi.

As a public madrasa, MAN 2 Jakarta receives government funding sources such as the national budget (APBN), regional budget (APBD), BOS funds, and BOP.

However, this funding does not always cover all development program needs.

Program needs are first formulated through the Madrasa Self-Evaluation (EDM), then compiled into the Madrasa Work and Budget Plan (RKAM).

The programs are then discussed with the committee and socialized to parents.

Dwi also assured that the madrasa staff do not know which parents contribute or the donation amounts.

This ensures students whose parents do not provide donations still receive services and participate in madrasa activities equally.

Previously, there were social media reports stating that MAN 2 Jakarta students in East Jakarta were asked to contribute up to Rp 2.5 million for educational donations.

The issue arose after a declaration letter for willingness to donate for the 2026/2027 academic year surfaced, listing options up to Rp 2,513,000.

A student identified only as A said the form was distributed through teachers for parents or guardians to fill out.

The letter is related to support for programs or activities to improve education at the madrasa.