Indonesia's BAZNAS Enrekang Rejects Corruption Charges

Enrekang, South Sulawesi — The Enrekang Regency branch of the National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) held an official press conference in the meeting room of its offices in Enrekang District on Sunday (7/12/2025).

The briefing was organized to provide public clarification and safeguard the institution's standing. On 27 November 2025, three serving leaders of BAZNAS Enrekang Regency and one former acting chairman were named as suspects over alleged corruption in managing and distributing ZIS (Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqah) and DSKL (Other Religious Social Funds) between 2021 and 2024.

The statement was delivered directly by the Chairman of BAZNAS Enrekang Regency, Junwar, accompanied by Vice Chairman Ilham Kadir, before members of the press.

Addressing reporters, Junwar stressed that the corruption allegations were entirely unfounded. He noted that the Enrekang District Prosecutor's Office had previously requested financial audits from the Audit and Compliance Directorate of BAZNAS RI (the central national agency) and the Inspectorate General of Kemenag (Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs).

"Overall, no abuse of authority was found in the financial management that could cause financial losses to BAZNAS Enrekang Regency, the Muslim community (ummah), or the state," he said.

He further affirmed that BAZNAS as an institution will legally contest all forms of injustice and actions exceeding official authority, including what he described as criminalisation by the former head of the Enrekang District Prosecutor's Office.

"We will fight this through legal channels. What is happening to BAZNAS Enrekang today is a form of criminalisation, and we view this as an overreach of authority," he added.

During the conference, BAZNAS Enrekang outlined a 13-point official position statement:

1. The corruption allegations are regarded as malicious slander. BAZNAS Enrekang views the case as criminalisation and extortion by certain law enforcement personnel.
2. The legal process is deemed flawed from the outset because it failed to apply Law No. 23 of 2011 on Zakat Management, relying instead on anti-corruption legislation.
3. ZIS and DSKL funds are community funds (dana umat), not state finances, and therefore cannot be treated as state funds under corruption laws.
4. Audits by central BAZNAS RI and Kemenag's Inspectorate General reportedly found no financial misuse or corrupt practice.
5. The South Sulawesi Provincial Inspectorate's calculation of state losses is considered an overreach of authority that conflicts with Government Regulation No. 14 of 2024.
6. Financial reporting for ZIS and DSKL funds has been strictly separated from regional government (APBD) grant funds.
7. BAZNAS Enrekang undergoes annual audits by an independent Public Accounting Firm and has consistently received Unqualified Opinions (WTP—the highest financial reporting standard).
8. Media reports regarding deposited or returned funds were described as engineered by law enforcement actors to present extortion money as returned evidence.
9. ZIS deductions from civil servants' (ASN) salaries were conducted directly by the local government, not by BAZNAS Enrekang.
10. Fund distribution undergoes a rigorous two-stage verification process: document review and physical field verification.
11. Potential conflicts of interest were formally addressed on 8 March 2025, well before the criminal investigation commenced.
12. The utilization of amil (zakat administrator) operational funds falls under the authority of zakat managers, provided it is accountable and complies with MUI (the Indonesian Ulema Council) Fatwa No. 8 of 2011.
13. The legal proceedings have severely hampered the institution's ability to optimize ZIS and DSKL management for 2025.

Despite criticizing the legal framework used by investigators, BAZNAS Enrekang affirmed that it continues to respect the ongoing legal process. The leadership expressed hope that the public receives accurate information and remains unaffected by narratives that risk damaging the institution's integrity.

Sources: BAZNAS Enrekang Public Relations