Gibran Condemns Sexual Violence at Pati Islamic Boarding School: It Cannot Be Tolerated!

JAKARTA - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming has strongly condemned the sexual violence in an Islamic boarding school (ponpes) environment that involved dozens of female students in Pati Regency, Central Java.

“I strongly condemn the harassment incident against female students that occurred in Pati,” Gibran stated in his remarks on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

The case, which resulted in dozens of female students becoming victims, must be processed legally.

“Such actions cannot be tolerated. The legal process will be carried out firmly, transparently, and justly,” he emphasised.

Therefore, schools and boarding schools must be safe and comfortable places for children.

“In the future, supervision and protection of students will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents from recurring,” Gibran said.

“I have also requested that intensive psychological support and trauma healing be provided to the victims,” he added.

It was previously reported that the alleged molestation case against dozens of female students at one of the Islamic boarding schools in Pati Regency has advanced to the investigation stage.

Police stated that they have obtained sufficient preliminary evidence after examining witnesses and conducting scene processing.

Pati Police Chief Kombes Pol Jaka Wahyudi mentioned that a kiai named Ashari was designated as a suspect on 28 April 2026 following a case review.

The case was actually reported as early as 2024, while the molestation against the victims is suspected to have occurred since 2020.

However, police claimed that the handling process after the 2024 report was delayed due to attempts at family-based resolution from the victims’ side.

Although he has been designated as a suspect, the perpetrator has not yet been detained because he is considered cooperative during the examination process.