Islamic Boarding School Leader in Lombok Exposed for Sexual Abuse Using 'Repentance Bath' Modus Operandi
The Chairman of the Mataram City Child Protection Agency (LPA), Joko Jumadi, has disclosed the modus operandi used by the leader of the Abul Barokat Wannafahat Islamic Boarding School, identified by the initials AIS, to commit sexual violence against several female students. Joko stated that the leader of the boarding school in Bunkate Village, Jonggat District, Central Lombok, carried out his actions by promising spiritual blessings and inviting victims to participate in a ‘repentance bath’ together.
“(The perpetrator) promised blessings, claiming he could provide healing, and suggested that if sins were committed, they could perform a repentance bath together,” Joko told reporters at the Central Lombok Police Headquarters on Tuesday (2026/9/22).
Joko explained that this method is similar to other cases occurring in different boarding schools, such as a sexual abuse case in Marong Village, East Praya District, early last year. “The problem lies in boarding schools that operate this way. Religious teachers (Tuan Guru) are acting as shamans and selling ‘holy water.’ This is what needs scrutiny,” he added.
He emphasised that the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) already has guidelines requiring boarding school managers to separate male and female dormitories. Furthermore, female dormitory supervisors are prohibited from supervising male dormitories and vice versa.
“Male supervisors, including religious teachers or Kiai, are not permitted in female dormitories. However, in most of these cases, the religious teachers have 24-hour access to all dormitories,” said Joko. He noted that while Kemenag guidelines exist, implementation remains difficult, and the physical separation of male and female students is an absolute necessity.
Submission of Additional Evidence
The Mataram City LPA has submitted additional evidence regarding the alleged sexual violence at the Bunkate Village boarding school to the investigators of the PPA Unit of the Central Lombok Police Criminal Investigation Unit.
“We have been monitoring this case since 2024. In early 2025, specifically on 3 February 2025, we filed a complaint involving one victim. However, we understood that the evidence we obtained at that time was very minimal,” said Joko.
Joko admitted that the evidence previously provided by LPA Mataram was insufficient. He stated that the additional evidence was obtained after LPA Mataram participated in an investigation alongside BBC Indonesia. “We were able to obtain that joint evidence. Today, we are submitting this evidence to the investigators at the Central Lombok Police,” he added.
He expressed hope that the additional evidence would strengthen the complainant’s testimony. The evidence includes a video recording of the suspect’s wife and an audio recording of the suspect’s confession.
Parents Mass-Withdraw Children from Boarding School
Previously, parents of female students have been mass-withdrawing their children from the Abul Barokat Wannafahat boarding school. They fear that the alleged sexual intercourse involving the leader, AIS, could impact the psychological well-being of other students.
“The children are experiencing trauma, so parents have chosen to keep them safe at home for the time being,” said Sahnim, one of the parents, during an interview at the school on Tuesday.
The resident of Jago Village, Praya District, admitted he could not feel at peace leaving his child at the boarding school, especially since the school committee has allowed students to return home temporarily.