Central Java Deputy Governor Demands Firm Action on Sexual Violence Cases in Islamic Boarding Schools

In response to numerous cases of sexual violence against female students by leaders and caretakers of Islamic boarding schools, educational institutions, and hermitages, Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen has urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) and law enforcement authorities to take firm action. Cases of sexual harassment, molestation, and sexual violence within Islamic boarding schools, hermitages, and educational institutions across various regions by leaders and caretakers against female students remain a serious concern for the Central Java Provincial Government. Several cases in Central Java are still under legal process, including at Ndolo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School (Pati), Padang Ati Hermitage (Pekalongan), Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School (Jepara), and most recently Ma’had Adzimul Qur’an Al Anfas (Demak). Responding to these cases, Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen called on the Ministry of Religious Affairs and law enforcement to take firm action against these religious educational institutions, especially those that do not possess an operational permit (Ijop) while cases are ongoing. “There must be monitoring of permits targeting religious institutions that claim to be Islamic boarding schools but have no permit; they must be investigated one by one,” said Taj Yasin Maimoen on Tuesday (9/6). In addition to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and law enforcement, Taj Yasin Maimoen stated that the call for regulation is also directed at local governments in the 35 regencies and cities of Central Java, so that if unlicensed religious institutions are found, decisive steps must be taken to close them. This measure particularly targets hermitages masquerading as Islamic boarding schools, which must receive strict supervision, as there remains the possibility of individuals claiming to be kyai when they have merely established a hermitage or educational institution. The operational permit (Ijop) for Islamic boarding schools is very important, according to Taj Yasin Maimoen, because it serves as a supervisory mechanism for the local Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure compliance with regulations and as a preventive measure against bullying and sexual violence in Islamic boarding schools. “This Ijop is not only for hermitages or religious educational institutions; Islamic boarding schools must also obtain permits. Now is the right moment to carry out regulation,” said Taj Yasin Maimoen.