Islamic Boarding School Leader and Teacher in Bima Named Suspects for Sodomising 10 Students

The head of a pondok pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Belo District, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, with the initials RS, has been named a suspect in a case of alleged sexual abuse against students. Head of the Bima Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Police First Inspector Ghufron Subeki, confirmed the suspect status in a telephone interview from Mataram on Wednesday. “Yes, he is now a suspect,” he said. He added that RS is a suspect alongside a teacher with the initials SY. Police named both individuals as suspects based on a case review conducted on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. In naming RS and SY as suspects, police investigators applied charges under Article 473, paragraph (1), paragraph (2) letter b, paragraph (3) letter b, paragraph (4), in conjunction with Article 418, paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) letter b of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. The Bima Police handled the case following reports alleging that both suspects had sexually molested a number of students. At least 10 madrasah tsanawiyah students have been identified as victims. They originate from various areas within Bima Regency. The two suspects committed the acts whilst the students were sleeping in the dormitory rooms. Allegations have emerged suggesting that the acts of sodomy occurred repeatedly and over a substantial period. Following reports from victim complaints in mid-April 2026, the Bima Police followed up by detaining RS and SY, who were still considered alleged perpetrators at the time, in early May 2026. Based on statements from the victims and other evidence, including the alleged perpetrators’ confessions admitting to the acts, the police subsequently held a case review to formally designate them as suspects. RS and SY, who are now formally suspects, are currently being held in custody at the Bima Police detention centre.