DPR Member Insists on Severe Punishment for Perpetrator of Sexual Violence in Pati

JAKARTA - A member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, Maman Imanulhaq, has emphasised that the perpetrator of sexual violence against a female student at a pesantren in Pati Regency, Central Java, must receive severe punishment. Severe punishment for sexual violence perpetrators, Maman stressed, is regulated under Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (TPKS). “The perpetrator must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, including aggravated penalties in accordance with the TPKS Law. There must be no compromise, mediation, or internal resolution,” Maman stated in his remarks on Friday (8/5/2026). Aggravated punishment is also necessary, considering that AS (51), the perpetrator who is the head of the pesantren, had fled. “The perpetrator must be severely punished. If the pesantren is proven negligent or involved, its permit should be revoked. However, if not, what must be done is a total overhaul with strict supervision,” Maman said. To prevent recurrence of sexual violence cases in pesantrens, he urged a total evaluation of the education system in pesantrens. “The institution must not be immediately generalised, but it is mandatory to evaluate it thoroughly. Pesantrens are educational institutions with a significant role and must not be punished indiscriminately due to an individual’s actions,” Maman stated. Therefore, he also pushed for an audit of the victim protection system for sexual violence cases as a form of the state’s presence. “A comprehensive audit of the childcare system in pesantrens. Child protection standards must be applied in all religious educational institutions, including providing safe reporting channels for male and female students,” Maman said. He firmly stated that sexual violence must not be allowed to become something that damages public trust in pesantrens. The sexual violence case in Pati, Maman stressed, must become a momentum to cleanse pesantrens of irresponsible individuals. “While ensuring that pesantrens remain safe and dignified places for students. We also need sexual awareness education based on morals and transparency in the governance of religious educational institutions,” Maman said. AS was designated as a suspect since Tuesday (28/4/2026), but immediately became a fugitive after failing to appear for examination on Monday (4/5/2026). The police had suspected the suspect fled outside Central Java, but the perpetrator was finally arrested in Wonogiri Regency.