JAKARTA, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Indonesia's Attorney-General’s Office has confirmed that the case files for the embezzlement and money laundering investigation involving Panji Gumilang, the founder of Al-Zaytun Islamic boarding school, are complete.
Founded in August 1996 in Mekarjaya village, Gantar sub-district, Indramayu district, West Java province, Maahad Al-Zaytun is recognised for its large number of students and its international reach, including students from Malaysia.
Harli Siregar, a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, said, “Yes, the case files regarding the money laundering case of Panji are complete in both procedural and substantive aspects,” as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
The office is currently waiting for the transfer of evidence and Panji from the Special Economic Crimes Directorate of the Criminal Investigation Police, while the public prosecutor is preparing to draft an indictment against Panji for trial, with the timeline depending on the investigators’ readiness, Harli added.
Panji, who was released on July 17 after serving a year in prison for a blasphemy conviction, now faces accusations of embezzling 73 billion rupiah, about US$4.7 million, from the Yayasan Pesantren Indonesian for personal use, including luxury items and land.
To cover these alleged loans, he reportedly accessed foundation funds from various contributions, including those from students’ parents.
Last year, he faced controversy due to a viral video highlighting his physical distancing rules at Al-Zaytun Mosque after COVID-19, along with questions about his interpretation of the Quran and an incident where students sang a Jewish song.
Panji also drew attention for permitting women to stand alongside men during Aidilfitri prayers at the mosque and for suggesting that female students lead Friday prayers, actions that sparked accusations of deviating from Islamic teachings in a predominantly Muslim country.
-- BERNAMA
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