Lombok Islamic Boarding School Tragedy: LPSK Accelerates Victim Protection, Begins Restitution Calculation

The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) is accelerating protection, recovery, and the fulfilment of restitution rights for child victims of an alleged arson at an Islamic boarding school in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). LPSK Deputy Chairperson Sri Nurherwati stated that children are a vulnerable group entitled to special treatment under Law Number 3 of 2026 concerning the Protection of Witnesses and Victims. “Protection is provided to witnesses and victims who face threats or are in special situations, including vulnerability due to their status as children. The protection being built must not be disrupted by open media exposure, which could increase pressure and affect the victims’ testimony,” she said on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. She noted that her agency had deployed a team to provide emergency protection and medical assessments as a basis for determining rehabilitation needs. They are also pushing for the accelerated implementation of the Victim Endowment Fund as mandated by law so that services for victims can be delivered more swiftly. She further stated that the request for protection was submitted to LPSK yesterday by House of Representatives Commission XIII member Rieke Diah Pitaloka together with the victims’ legal counsel. According to Rieke, assistance is necessary to ensure victims obtain their rights to protection, physical and psychological recovery, and restitution. The victims’ legal counsel, Joko Jumadi, said the assistance is focused on fulfilling all of the victims’ rights, including health services, education, rehabilitation, and restitution, to ensure a comprehensive recovery process. The case originated from the alleged burning of a student dormitory room at an Islamic boarding school in Central Lombok in December 2025. The incident resulted in four children becoming victims, comprising one child who died, two children who suffered severe burns, and one child who sustained minor injuries. The NTB Regional Police Director for Women and Children Protection, Senior Commissioner Ni Made Pujewati, stated that restricting access to the victims is being carried out to support their physical and psychological recovery after they experienced pressure due to numerous parties seeking statements. “We hope all parties prioritise the best interests of the child. Our focus is not solely on the legal process, but also on ensuring the victims and their families can recover physically and psychologically and are protected from social pressure and exploitation in the digital space,” she said.