Founder of Harapan Ibu School Foundation Speaks Out on Discovery of 996 Weapons

Yan Sofyan Syafe'i, founder of the Harapan Ibu Islamic School Foundation in South Jakarta, has expressed sadness over the discovery of 996 weapons found in the room of the former Chairman of the Foundation. He hopes the issue can be resolved promptly.

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We, as the founders who established this school, are very saddened by this kind of thing, but God willing, as I stated earlier, hopefully, all of it can be fixed as best as possible.

"We, as the founders who established this school, are very saddened by this kind of thing, but God willing, as I stated earlier, hopefully, all of it can be fixed as best as possible," Syafe'i said during a press conference in Jakarta, as quoted by detikcom.

The foundation's legal counsel, Alvon Kurnia Palma, urged that any accusations linking the hundreds of weapons to extracurricular shooting activities be substantiated with proof. He cautioned against fabricating claims to legitimize untrue situations.

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When there is a claim that this is an extracurricular activity and it has been approved, please provide proof. Please provide proof. Don't let this become something that legitimizes something that is actually untrue.

Palma also refuted claims of a dispute over the foundation's ownership, stating there is no conflict among the founders. He emphasized that the school was established to provide education and expressed a desire for it to return to its original purpose. He reiterated the founders' vision of nurturing pious children as a core aspiration.

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There is no conflict in the sense among the founders themselves. This is proven, at this time, there is already one of the founders - besides Mr. Adam Malik, the former Vice President - then also with Mr. Mahwardi Labae, as well as Mr. Suryo who was accused earlier.

Regarding the discovery of weapons and their alleged connection to school extracurriculars, Palma repeated his call for evidence. He also addressed claims involving Mr. Suryo, a foundation supervisor, suggesting that due to his advanced age of 104 at the time, his ability to fully comprehend, know, or approve proposals might have been limited. Palma stressed that they should not seek excuses for the situation.

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It should be known that at that time Mr. Suryo was 104 years old. Not denying his abilities, but at that time, for Mr. Suryo himself to understand, know, and approve a proposal had limitations. There were limitations at that time.