The Breath of Law Enforcement from Boarding School Education
By: Ali Aminulloh
Ma’had Al Zaytun continues to demonstrate its consistency in innovation in education. It serves not only as a learning institution, but also as a space for the development of ideas and civilization.
Since June 1, 2025, this institution has been conducting training programs for students, featuring professors from various universities and disciplines. This program is clear evidence that education at Al Zaytun is not limited to the formal curriculum but rather dynamically evolves with the times.
Entering its 39th week, which took place on Sunday, April 5, 2026, Ma’had Al Zaytun once again presented a prominent academic, Prof. Dr. Musakkir, S.H., M.H.
On this occasion, he presented the overarching theme: “Building Law Enforcement with Integrity Through Boarding School Education.”
The event was attended by no less than 2,740 participants, consisting of foundation administrators, lecturers, teachers, students, pupils, guardians of students, and various educational stakeholders.
From the beginning of his presentation, Prof. Musakkir spoke not only as an academic but also as a witness who had directly observed the dynamics of education at Al Zaytun. He considered this institution a concrete example of how education can become an agent of social change.
In his view, Al Zaytun is not just an educational institution, but rather an ecosystem that integrates independence, community involvement, and a grand vision for human development.
According to him, when discussing law, the public often falls into a narrow understanding: law as merely a collection of rules. However, from a scientific perspective, law is a complete system. He cited Lawrence M. Friedman’s theory that the legal system consists of three main elements: legal substance, legal structure, and legal culture.
All three must work in harmony for law enforcement to achieve the goal of justice.
However, his main emphasis was on the legal structure, namely law enforcement institutions and officials.
This, he believes, is where integrity is key. A legal system will not function well without law enforcers who demonstrate independence, transparency, accountability, and professionalism. Without these four elements, the law is easily eroded by political and economic interests.
Furthermore, Prof. Musakkir emphasized that the success of law enforcement ultimately rests on the personal qualities of its enforcers. He formulated three main pillars: exemplary behavior, honesty (integrity), and courage. Exemplary behavior makes law enforcement officers living examples for the community. Honesty engenders public trust—the primary foundation for upholding the law. Courage, meanwhile, is an absolute requirement for making just and correct decisions, including in opposing corrupt practices and various forms of irregularities. From this, the effectiveness of law enforcement can be truly established.
This idea is not isolated. It is reinforced by classical views that remain relevant today. Umar ibn Khattab, for example, once asserted that justice can only exist if there is openness to correction. “If you see me making a mistake, then correct me. And if you see me on the right path, then support me.”
From this perspective, justice is not solely the responsibility of those in power, but also the collective responsibility of all society. Law enforcement becomes a space for shared participation, not a monopoly of power.
Similarly, French philosopher Taverne emphasized that the quality of law is largely determined by the people who enforce it. He stated that if honest police, prosecutors, and judges are present, then even if the rule of law is imperfect, justice can still be upheld. This view reinforces the thesis that the integrity of the apparatus is the heart of the legal system itself.
In this context, Prof. Musakkir then linked it to the concept of boarding school education implemented at Ma’had Al Zaytun.
According to him, boarding school education has fundamental advantages in shaping character. In it, students not only learn academically but also undergo a process of developing discipline, responsibility, honesty, and the ability to live together in diversity.
He believes that the boarding school system allows for a more intense and sustainable internalization of values. Values such as justice, integrity, and responsibility are not only taught but also practiced in everyday life. This is a crucial foundation for producing a generation that is not only legally aware but also law-abiding.
Furthermore, boarding school education also serves as a strategic platform for developing a comprehensive legal awareness. Through the development of integrity, discipline, and individual responsibility, students are trained to be consistent and between knowledge and action. They are also trained to be independent, role models, and able to manage their time effectively—essential skills in modern life.
Furthermore, boarding school life teaches equally important social skills: the ability to interact, respect differences, and make fair decisions. All of this fosters moral courage, namely the courage to stand up for the truth, even under pressure.
More broadly, the santri education and boarding system are believed to foster legal behavior that is not only conscious but also obedient. This is a strong foundation for the emergence of a generation of law enforcers with integrity.
Ultimately, the broad ideas presented at this forum culminated in one conclusion: that the future of Indonesian education, based on the integration of law, science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics, and spirituality (LSTEAMS), can only be safeguarded by honest and integrated law enforcement. Without it, the law will lose its function as a guardian of civilization. However, with integrity, the law will become a key pillar in building a just, civilized, and progressive nation.**
Indramayu, April 5, 2026
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