Gibran Urges Firm and Transparent Legal Process for Sexual Violence Case at Pati Islamic Boarding School

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, has urged that the sexual violence case at an Islamic boarding school (ponpes) involving dozens of female students in Pati Regency, Central Java, be processed through the legal system.

Gibran has strongly condemned the harassment incident against several female students that occurred in Pati.

“Such actions cannot be tolerated. The legal process will be carried out firmly, transparently, and justly,” Gibran stated in his remarks on Tuesday (5/5/2025).

Gibran requested that the victims receive intensive psychological support and trauma healing.

“Schools and Islamic 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.

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 progressed to the investigation stage.

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

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

However, police claimed that the handling process after the 2024 report was initially 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 as he is considered cooperative during the examination process.