Ministry of Religious Affairs Temporarily Halts Learning Activities at Mesuji Pesantren
The Directorate of Pesantren, under the Directorate General of Islamic Education of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has temporarily halted the teaching and learning process following the burning of Pondok Pesantren Nurul Jadid in Tanjung Mas Jaya Village, Mesuji Timur Subdistrict, Mesuji Regency, Lampung, on Friday, 8 May 2026. The arson of the pesantren is suspected to have been triggered by allegations of molestation.
Pesantren Director of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Basnang Said, stated that the ministry has coordinated with the Mesuji and Lampung Regional Offices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to provide psychological counselling to the students. “The temporary suspension of the teaching and learning process until this case is resolved at the investigation stage,” Basnang told Tempo on Monday, 11 May 2026.
In addition, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will dismiss the pesantren caretakers and replace the pondok leadership that lacks a child protection paradigm. If possible, they should no longer reside within the pesantren environment.
Basnang also requested the Lampung Provincial and Mesuji Regency Regional Offices of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to push for this case to be handled by the competent authorities in the realm of criminal law.
The Mesuji Timur Police Sector arrested a suspect believed to be the provocateur of the burning of Pondok Pesantren Nurul Jadid. The alleged perpetrator, initials AN, 30 years old, is a resident of Tanjung Mas Jaya Village.
Head of Mesuji Timur Police Sector, Inspector Two Andri Fernandes, explained that the case is currently being handled by the Mesuji Police Resort, and the perpetrator has been brought to the resort headquarters for further examination. “Preliminary examination results indicate that the perpetrator is suspected of having provoked residents to carry out anarchic actions against the pesantren facilities by burning and damaging them,” Andri said in a written statement as reported by Tribratanews on Saturday, 9 May 2026.
Andri said the incident began on Friday, 8 May 2026, at 12:30 WIB after Friday prayers. At that time, residents of Tanjung Mas Jaya Village were discussing the development of the village mosque. The discussion then shifted to the owner of Pondok Pesantren Nurul Jadid, who is suspected of being involved in molestation.
They questioned why the pesantren owner had returned to the pondok and violated the agreement to leave the pesantren. The residents then went to the pesantren to demand clarification, leading to a heated atmosphere and the arson.
The Mesuji Timur Police Sector evacuated the pesantren leader with initials F to a resident’s house. During the incident, Mesuji Timur Police Sector members arrested one of the perpetrators suspected of being the provocateur and seized evidence including one 200 ml bottle of mineral water containing petrol and one motorbike.