Central Lombok Religious Affairs Official Questioned Over Santri Allegedly Set Alight by Friend

An official from the Central Lombok Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) office has been questioned by police. The examination relates to the alleged burning of three santri by their friend at the Rosudatussaulatiyah Al Ibrahimy Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) in Sengkol II Hamlet, Aik Darek Village, Batukliang District, in November 2025. Head of Public Relations for the Central Lombok Police, First Inspector Lalu Brata Kusnadi, confirmed the questioning. The inquiry was conducted to seek clarification regarding the legality of the establishment of the Rosudatussaulatiyah Al Ibrahimy boarding school. “It is true, on Tuesday we sent a letter and this morning we attended to seek information from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The questions were solely about the legality of the boarding school’s establishment,” Brata said on Thursday (11/6/2026). According to Brata, the representative from the Ministry of Religious Affairs is the latest witness to be questioned by investigators from the Women and Children Protection Unit of the Central Lombok Police Criminal Investigation Division. The investigation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs aims to confirm whether the boarding school’s establishment permits are complete. “The specific details of the questions have not been obtained yet. Essentially, it is about legality,” Brata stressed. In addition to questioning the Central Lombok Ministry of Religious Affairs representative, Brata detailed other parties who have already been examined. These include the victims’ parents who filed the report, the victims themselves, and the head of the Rosudatussaulatiyah Al Ibrahimy boarding school. The Central Lombok Police have also visited the crime scene to observe the location of the incident directly. “We went there simply to confirm that the boarding school is indeed the scene of the incident. At the scene, several pieces of evidence were secured, including the mica material used. The victims were also examined at their homes by investigators,” Brata explained. Meanwhile, the Central Lombok Police will soon summon a criminal law expert from the University of Mataram to provide an expert opinion on the case. This step is considered essential to ensure the incident receives legal certainty. “Please be patient. Regarding when the expert examination will take place, we are currently in the process of gathering statements,” Brata added. Head of the Early Education and Islamic Boarding Schools Section at the Central Lombok Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muhamad Salim, confirmed the police questioning. The examination was conducted to ascertain the founding permit status of the Rosudatussaulatiyah Al Ibrahimy boarding school. “Yes, that is correct. Ustaz Agus from the boarding school section attended, who handles licensing matters,” Salim explained. Based on data held by the Central Lombok Ministry of Religious Affairs, Salim clarified that the Rosudatussaulatiyah Al Ibrahimy boarding school was established in 2013. The school’s operational permit was renewed in 2016. “The Rosydatusshaulatiyah Al Ibrahimy boarding school was founded in 2013. The operational permit was issued in 2016. The year 2016 was a renewal of the permit,” Salim stressed.