KSP Urges Firm Handling of Alleged Santriwati Molestation Case in Pati
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Presidential Chief of Staff General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman has urged firm handling of the case of alleged sexual violence/molestation against female students at the Ndolo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School in Tlogosari Village, Pati, Central Java.
Dudung, in a press release in Jakarta on Thursday, expressed deep concern and empathy for the female students suspected to be victims of molestation.
The Chief of Staff emphasised that protection of the victims must be the top priority in handling this case.
To that end, the former Army Chief of Staff requested that law enforcement authorities and all relevant parties keep the victims’ identities confidential, especially since some victims are allegedly minors.
“To protect the future of these underage children, the police and all parties should keep the victims’ identities secret. The trauma and wounds experienced by the victims require state assistance to restore mental health and psychological trauma,” he said.
According to him, the incident of the perpetrator escaping must not happen again.
He stressed that Indonesia is a state of law, so every citizen has equal standing before the law.
“Whoever the perpetrator is, law enforcement must be carried out without favouritism. There must be no more attempts to evade police examination,” he asserted.
The alleged molestation case against female students in Pati previously emerged after the caretaker of the Ndolo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School was named a suspect by the Pati Police Resort.
Dudung assessed that the case must be processed seriously in accordance with the provisions of the Sexual Violence Crime Law.
The alleged indecent acts fall under the form of sexual violence crime as regulated in Article 4 paragraph (2) letter b of the TPKS Law.
According to the Chief of Staff, law enforcement in this case represents the state’s presence in protecting citizens from sexual violence. Perpetrators of sexual violence, he said, must be held accountable before the law.
“It is only right that perpetrators of sexual violence be held accountable for their actions. They should not flee and show no remorse or regret,” he stated.
The Chief of Staff also highlighted power dynamics in sexual violence cases within educational environments.
He assessed that educational institutions, including boarding schools, must be safe spaces for students, not places where authority is abused by those in power.
“I condemn the actions of the perpetrator, who is none other than a leader in an educational institution. He must not hide behind his position as a leader of an educational institution and misuse that status and authority to exploit students. Such power dynamics are highly intimidating and must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.
The Chief of Staff stated that this case serves as a reminder that sexual violence can occur in various social spaces, including religious-based educational institutions.
Therefore, he urged that this case not be viewed merely as an individual legal incident, but also as an opportunity to strengthen prevention of sexual violence in educational environments.
The Chief of Staff understands public demands for the legal process to proceed quickly and transparently. According to him, firm law enforcement is needed to restore a sense of justice for the victims, their families, and society.
“I can understand if the public is currently demanding swift law enforcement against the perpetrator so that order and justice can be upheld,” said Dudung.
The Chief of Staff hopes that law enforcement authorities will demonstrate firmness and professionalism in handling this case.
He assessed that maximum penalties in accordance with the law can serve as a deterrent for perpetrators and send a strong message to the public that the state does not tolerate sexual violence.
“It is time for the police to show their face as reliable law enforcement officers for society. Enforce the law without favouritism against anyone, promptly and swiftly,” he said.