Dudung Condemns Alleged Molestation by Founder of Ponpes in Pati

Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman has condemned the alleged molestation by AS, the founder of Pondok Pesantren Tahfidzul Qur’an Ndolo Kusumo in Pati, Central Java, against several female students. “I condemn the actions of the perpetrator, who is notably a leader in an educational institution,” Dudung stated on Thursday (7/5). Dudung also highlighted power dynamics in cases of sexual violence within educational environments. He assessed that educational institutions, including pesantren, must serve as safe spaces for students, rather than places for the misuse of authority by those in power. “Such power dynamics are highly intimidating and must be investigated thoroughly,” he said. Dudung further stated that protection of victims must be the top priority in handling this case. Therefore, he requested that law enforcement and all relevant parties keep the victims’ identities confidential, particularly since some victims are allegedly minors. Dudung also stressed the importance of trauma recovery and healing for the victims, which he deemed requires state assistance. He noted that this case serves as a reminder that sexual violence can occur in various social spaces, including religious-based educational institutions. Dudung encouraged viewing this case not merely as an individual legal incident, but as a momentum to strengthen prevention of sexual violence in educational environments. “It is time for the police to demonstrate their face as a reliable law enforcement apparatus for society. Enforce the law without favouritism towards anyone, swiftly and promptly,” he said. Police have successfully arrested the suspect in the alleged rape of female students at the pesantren in Pati, Central Java, initialled AS. The suspect, who is the founder of the pesantren, was arrested at the home of a guardian of a sacred site in Wonogiri Regency. AS had fled to several places, namely Bogor, Jakarta, and Solo, out of fear of being detained by the police.