Maros Islamic Boarding School Leader Arrested After Year on the Run for Molesting Four Students

Police have arrested the caretaker and administrator of an Islamic boarding school (Ponpes) in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, identified as AN (68), after he remained a fugitive for more than a year regarding the alleged molestation of four female students.

“The person on the wanted list for the student molestation case has been secured in East Kalimantan,” stated the Head of Criminal Investigation of Maros Police, AKP Ridwan, on Sunday (17/5).

Ridwan explained that the perpetrator was apprehended while hiding in Bontang City, East Kalimantan, on Friday (15/5). “The fugitive is now at the Maros Police Station for interrogation,” he added.

Ridwan further clarified that the incident occurred on 10 December 2024, and was reported in February 2025. The report was filed after AN, acting as a school administrator, allegedly molested four students inside his private room.

“The student victims were summoned by the suspect to his private room to provide him with a massage. A few days later, the victims were summoned again for the same purpose, at which point the suspect committed the sexual harassment,” he explained.

Currently, Ridwan stated that intensive interrogation of the perpetrator is ongoing, and the case will soon be handed over to the prosecutor’s office.