Ministry of Religious Affairs Halts New Student Enrolment at Pati Pesantren Following Sexual Abuse Case
JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has announced that new student enrolment at one of the Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in Pati, Central Java, has been halted following the sexual abuse case advancing to the investigation stage.
Kemenag Pesantren Director Basnang Said emphasised that the suspension ensures the police investigation by Pati Police Resort becomes the priority to maintain order and child protection.
“We have also sent a letter to the Central Java Kemenag Regional Office, recommending the temporary halt of new student registrations at the concerned pesantren,” said Basnang in an official statement on Saturday (2/5/2026).
The suspension will continue until there is certainty that the childcare system, child protection, and institutional governance meet the established standards.
This recommendation was given by the Pesantren Director to the Head of the Central Java Ministry of Religious Affairs Regional Office as guidance for taking firm steps to protect students and improve pesantren institutional governance.
If the pesantren does not meet the criteria for institutional governance according to standards, permanent deactivation may be carried out.
“If the pesantren does not comply, the Head of the Central Java Kemenag Regional Office may propose the deactivation of the pesantren’s registration certificate to the Directorate General of Islamic Education as evidence of the caregivers’ neglect of child-friendly and safe childcare,” Basnang stressed.
The pesantren is requested to appoint new educators with capacity, moral integrity, and readiness to fully carry out student childcare and guidance functions for 24 hours.
“We request that the suspect undergoing legal proceedings not perform duties as a caregiver/leader or educational staff at the pesantren to optimise current student childcare functions,” he said.
“We do not tolerate any sexual violence, especially in religious educational institutions,” Basnang added.
Previously reported, the alleged molestation case against dozens of female students at one pesantren in Pati Regency, Central Java, has entered a new phase after investigators gathered witness statements and initial evidence meeting legal requirements.
The police stated they have obtained sufficient preliminary evidence to elevate the case status to investigation.
“The legal process has entered the investigation stage after sufficient witnesses and preliminary evidence,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Pati Police Resort, Commissioner Dika Hadian Widyaama, on Friday (1/5/2026).
This case was actually reported to the police since September 2025. However, the handling process was slow until it regained attention after the victims inquired about the case progress.
The victims are said to be female junior high school students, from grades 1 to 3.