BASSRA denies taking a stance against Bangkalan industrial plans

The Madura Ulama and Pesantren Association (BASSRA) has strongly refuted claims that it has officially opposed proposed industrial development in Bangkalan, East Java.

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There is no BASSRA stance to reject yet. Those were thoughts that emerged during the discussion, not an agreement or decision.

KH Syafik Rofi’i, Secretary-General of BASSRA, clarified on Monday evening that while discussions regarding Bangkalan's development direction did take place within the organization, certain views expressed during these forums have been misinterpreted as institutional decisions. He emphasized that BASSRA has not yet taken a stance to reject the industrial plans.

Syafik explained that the meeting in question involved various viewpoints, including a suggestion to prioritize provincial-level development interests. However, he stressed that these were personal opinions shared during a discussion, not a formal agreement or decision by BASSRA. He stated that it is incorrect to portray these discussions as the organization's official position.

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If it is said that BASSRA has decided or agreed to reject the industrial plan in Bangkalan, that is not true.

BASSRA remains open to further dialogue on the industrialization plans and related memoranda of understanding. The organization intends to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders, including religious leaders, community figures, intellectuals, and the general public, before making any final decisions. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that any decision reflects the broader interests of the Madura community, not just a select few. Syafik urged the public to distinguish between personal opinions shared in a forum and official organizational stances.

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BASSRA has never decided, agreed, or issued a statement to reject the industrialization plan in Bangkalan.