Lombok Pesantren Leader Promises Laduni Knowledge, Rapes Two Female Students

A leader of a pesantren has been detained following allegations of rape against female students at a pesantren in Praya Timur district, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The pesantren leader, named Muhammad Taufik Firdaus (MTF), allegedly raped his female students in a private room within the pesantren. ‘The alleged sexual violence occurred in the khalwat room of the pesantren,’ NTB Police Public Relations Head, Kombes Muhammad Kholid, was quoted by detikBali on Tuesday, 3 March. Kholid said the rape victims amounted to two female students. Taufik allegedly raped the two students from early May 2025 to mid-August 2025. ‘The alleged acts were carried out repeatedly, up to four times against one victim, and there was another victim with a similar incident,’ he added. Taufik committed these vile acts by taking advantage of his position and authority as the pesantren leader. According to Kholid, the sexual crime modus operandi included manipulating circumstances and exploiting the victims’ vulnerability. ‘Thus, the victims were driven to commit actions that are against the law,’ said Kholid. Police have secured a number of pieces of evidence related to the alleged rape of the female students. These include administrative documents of the pesantren, the victims’ clothing, pieces of condom wrappers, and room keys. ‘There are also other items related to the alleged criminal act,’ Kholid said. Meanwhile, the victims’ advocate, Joko Jumadi, revealed that the rape was carried out by Taufik through a variety of methods, including purifying the victims’ wombs and tempting them with laduni knowledge. Now, Taufik is charged under Article 473(1) of Law Number 12 of 2023 concerning the Penal Code or Article 6(h) C of Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence (TPKS). He faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and/or a fine of up to Rp 300 million. More news here…