Central Java Ministry of Religious Affairs to Form Anti-Violence Task Forces in 5,400 Pesantren to Prevent Violence

The Regional Office (Kanwil) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) in Central Java will form anti-violence task forces in all pesantren in the region, numbering around 5,400. “There are more than 5,400 pesantren across Central Java. Each one will form a task force,” said the Head of the Early Childhood Education and Pesantren Division of the Central Java Kemenag Regional Office, Moch Fatkhuronji, in Semarang on Tuesday. This measure is an evaluation following the alleged sexual violence case at Pesantren Tahfidzul Quran Ndolo Kusumo in Pati Regency, Central Java. He assured that firm action is being taken against the pesantren’s management and urged all pesantren to bolster their violence prevention systems, including by forming task forces. According to him, the formation of task forces will be adapted to each pesantren’s conditions, particularly those with large numbers of students and formal education programmes. “Pesantren with many students certainly need, very much need, to have task force teams in each pesantren. Of course, in coordination with the regency/city,” he said. Pesantren Tahfidzul Quran Ndolo Kusumo is estimated to have 252 students from RA to Madrasah Aliyah levels. He revealed that the number of victims in the case is eight female students, and the legal process is ongoing under police jurisdiction. “Regarding the number of victims yesterday, the official report is only eight,” he said. Kemenag is taking firm administrative steps, from prohibiting new student admissions for the 2026/2027 academic year to permanent revocation of operational permits. “Perhaps today, once signed by the Regional Head, we will send it directly to Jakarta, and today the letter revoking the pesantren registration will be issued,” he said. For the continuity of education, he said, students are currently separated by grade level, some have been sent home to learn online, while final-year students are still facilitated to take exams. Kemenag also ensures that teachers and educational staff are not left without support, as they will be transferred to other institutions under the coordination of Kemenag in Pati Regency. He acknowledged that the case serves as a major evaluation for pesantren supervision, while recognising the need for education and strengthening prevention systems across all regions. “This is certainly homework for us to convey that there is still a need for more education to each pesantren in Central Java,” he said.