Ministry of Religious Affairs to Revoke Licence of Ndolo Kusumo Pesantren in Pati Following Alleged Molestation Case

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Director of Pesantren at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Basnang Said, has affirmed that Kemenag will revoke the registration certificate (Ijop) of Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo due to the alleged molestation case perpetrated by one of the kiai.

“In line with the affirmation process for the students, Kemenag will also revoke the registration certificate (Ijop) of Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo, Tlogosari, Tlogowungu, Pati Regency,” said Basnang in his official statement on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

Basnang added that his team, along with the Central Java Kemenag Regional Office, has visited the pesantren to provide support and take necessary measures.

This relocation is being carried out to ensure that the students’ education continues uninterrupted, even as the legal process for the case proceeds.

“We will relocate the students so they can continue their schooling at educational institutions in Pati Regency,” said Basnang.

In addition to the students, Kemenag will also process the transfer of Special Education Personnel and Educational Support Staff to madrasahs or schools under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Pati Regency Education Office.

The Ndolo Kusumo students number 252 children.

There are 89 students at the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah level, and 30 of them are in year 6, who have already taken exams from 4-12 April 2026.

Then, there are 91 students studying at Sekolah Menengah Pertama, 50 students at Madrasah Aliyah, and 8 students who do not attend school or only reside at the pesantren.

They all live or reside at the pesantren.

“All Ndolo Kusumo students residing at the pesantren have been sent back to their respective homes on 2 and 3 May 2026,” said Basnang.

There are six educational institutions that will serve as destinations for the relocation of the Ndolo Kusumo students, namely: