Holiday Ayo - 

The House of Representatives (DPR) has proposed that the executives and senior management of Trans7 participate in a 40-day stay at a pesantren (Islamic boarding school). Lawmakers believe the initiative would help media leaders gain a direct understanding of the values, culture, and daily life within Indonesia’s pesantren communities.

The proposal was put forward by Maman Imanulhaq, a member of Commission VIII from the National Awakening Party (PKB), during a meeting with representatives from Trans7, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, and the Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School Alumni Association (Himasal) at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Maman emphasized that pesantren institutions play a vital role in shaping the nation’s moral and cultural foundation. Therefore, he asserted, it is crucial for media professionals to immerse themselves in the pesantren environment to avoid misconceptions or biased portrayals of the santri (student) community.

He also described various social dynamics found in pesantren — from students whose education is fully funded by their kyai (religious teacher) to those who voluntarily work for their teachers as a sign of respect and gratitude.

“Some students don’t pay because their expenses are covered by the kyai, while others choose to work for them out of humility,” Maman explained.

He further quoted a religious teacher who declined to accept a salary, saying that spiritual blessings are far more valuable than material wealth.