Concerns Mount Over Sexual Abuse Cases in Central Java Islamic Boarding Schools

The Deputy Speaker of the Central Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Sarif Abdillah, has voiced his concern and condemnation regarding a series of sexual violence cases within Islamic boarding schools (ponpes) in various parts of the province in recent months. Reflecting on these incidents, the National Awakening Party (PKB) politician believes the boarding schools need to reform themselves. “I personally disagree and condemn this incident,” Sarif said during an interview at the Central Java DPRD office on Thursday (2/7/2026).

Throughout 2026, several alleged cases of sexual violence by boarding school caregivers against female students have occurred in Central Java. The cases include incidents at Ponpes Ndolo Kusumo (Pati), Ponpes Al-Jaelani (Semarang), Ponpes Al Anwar (Jepara), Padepokan Padang Ati (Pekalongan), Ma’had Adzimul Qur’an Al Anfas (Demak), Ponpes Fathul Ulum (Banjarnegara), and Ponpes Salafiyah Futuhiyah (Grobogan).

Expressing his concern over the series of cases, Sarif stated, “We truly hope that the pesantren can improve themselves so that such things do not happen again.” He added that sexual violence within the pesantren environment is completely inappropriate. “We, especially in our party, are also socialising the strengthening of pesantren, educating them, both the students and the caregivers, that matters related to sexual violence are very, very improper and inappropriate,” he said.

Sarif revealed that his party is informally cooperating with Rabithah Ma’ahid Islamiyah (RMI) to provide education, including on sexual violence, to pesantren, particularly for caregivers and students. “We continue to push for this understanding. This is an important part of our collective awareness, that such things must not happen again,” he said, adding that preventing these cases is crucial to safeguarding the dignity of the pesantren. “This is homework for all of us,” he concluded.

Previously, Central Java Regional Secretary Sumarno stated he had conveyed the issue of the recent surge in sexual violence cases at pesantren to the Minister of Religious Affairs. He expressed a desire for unlicensed boarding schools to be regulated or shut down. Sumarno said he met Minister Nasaruddin Umar during the launch of the logo and mascot for the 31st National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) at the Grand Mosque of Central Java convention hall on 25 June 2026. He used the moment to raise the issue of the series of sexual violence cases in the province’s pesantren.

“I conveyed this problem. We have given input that what is needed is regulation-related issues regarding pesantren,” Sumarno said in an interview on Wednesday (1/7/2026). He stressed the importance of requirements for establishing a boarding school, noting that the incidents did not all occur in licensed institutions. “So that’s what I told the Minister of Religious Affairs, that’s what needs regulation. If they don’t meet the requirements, then close them down,” he said. Sumarno believes supervision and prevention of sexual violence will be easier to implement in licensed pesantren. He noted that currently, many places are simply visited by many people and then considered a pesantren. According to Sumarno, the Minister accepted his input and promised to follow up. “I think this is a turning point for us to better assess the pesantren in Central Java,” he said.