Yesterday, in Silmi Aulia's testimony at the court, he repeatedly mentioned the Treasurer of the Indonesian Pesantren Foundation (YPI), who allegedly understood the issue, certainly related to the money laundering (TPPU) legal case involving the foundation. In the context of the alleged money laundering case, the foundation's treasurer often becomes a key witness. This is because the treasurer has a deep understanding of financial flows, asset management, and transactions occurring within the foundation, in this case, the Indonesian Pesantren Foundation.
As is known in the aforementioned TPPU case, the YPI Treasurer, Iskandar Saefullah, also known as Kandar Kandar was one of several witnesses summoned by the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) in July 2023. The treasurer's position gave him direct access to financial information, enabling him to provide critical testimony regarding alleged fund misappropriation or activities under investigation. The "understanding of the issue" here could refer to operational details, fund flows, or even potential violations within the foundation.
The Treasurer of the Indonesian Pesantren Foundation (YPI) indeed plays a crucial role in providing testimony related to the alleged money laundering (TPPU) case under discussion. During the investigation conducted by Bareskrim Polri, the YPI treasurer was among the witnesses examined to uncover the flow of funds allegedly misused by the defendant.
In July 2023, Bareskrim Polri summoned the treasurer along with seven other witnesses to provide statements. Iskandar Saefullah, as the treasurer, was called due to his strategic role in managing the foundation's finances. Investigators suspect that he possesses in-depth knowledge of YPI's financial transactions, including the alleged diversion of foundation funds into personal accounts, which were then used for personal interests such as debt repayment, asset purchases, and other purposes as mentioned by the public prosecutor.
As the case progressed, it was revealed that the defendant allegedly embezzled a Rp73 billion loan from the foundation in 2019, which was deposited into his personal account, while the repayment installments were drawn from YPI funds. Iskandar Saefullah’s testimony is relevant because he can clarify the sources of the foundation’s funds—including student contributions, School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds, or other donations—as well as the allegedly irregular management patterns. Additionally, investigators discovered numerous accounts linked to the defendant, and the foundation’s treasurer was undoubtedly questioned to map out the flow of these funds.
Although specific details of Iskandar Saefullah’s testimony have not been publicly disclosed by investigators, his role as treasurer indicates that he understands the foundation’s financial "issues" from a technical perspective. He could provide information on whether the fund diversions were carried out with his knowledge or under direct instructions from the defendant, who served as the Chairman of the YPI Advisory Board.
At the first TPPU trial in January 2025 at the Indramayu District Court, the prosecutor's indictment stated that the defendant used foundation funds for personal gain between 2014 and 2023, and testimonies from treasurers like Iskandar Saefullah would serve as supporting evidence.
Iskandar Saefullah (IS) is the Treasurer of the Indonesian Pesantren Foundation (YPI), which oversees the Al Zaytun Pesantren, and he has become a key witness in the alleged money laundering (TPPU) case involving the defendant.
The treasurer’s testimony is vital not only because of his understanding of the issue but also because Iskandar Saefullah is personally "at odds" with the defendant. This is due to the foundation’s advisory board appointing him as the chairman of the Indonesian Pesantren Foundation.
The conflict or "enmity" between Iskandar Saefullah and Panji Gumilang can be implicitly assumed from the dynamics of this case. As treasurer, Iskandar may have been in a difficult position: he might have been aware of or even opposed the irregular financial management practices.
During the examination in July 2023, Iskandar Saefullah was initially considered to have evaded the summons along with other YPI officials, possibly indicating pressure or initial non-compliance with the legal process involving the defendant. However, when he eventually testified, he provided information that supported the investigation into the alleged TPPU.
This personal enmity may be linked to Iskandar’s role as treasurer and now chairman of the foundation, which positions him to potentially reveal damaging details about the defendant, such as the mixing of foundation funds with personal interests or the misuse of BOS (School Operational Assistance) funds, with accountability allegedly falsified by school principals.
Last but not least, as the chairman of the foundation, Iskandar Saefullah bears full responsibility for rectifying the situation and striving to recover the seized and frozen assets and funds for the Indonesian Pesantren Foundation.
