MUI Emphasises Intensive Supervision in Pesantren to Prevent Sexual Violence

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has emphasised the importance of intensive supervision of educational institutions, including pesantren, to prevent deviations and recurring sexual violence in educational environments. “We actually request that this be followed up as a preventive measure by relevant institutions on how to supervise educational institutions to intensify the implementation of good education and to be vigilant against deviations in the organisation of education,” said MUI Deputy General Chairman Cholil Nafis in Jakarta on Monday. He made this statement in response to the alleged case of sexual violence committed by a pesantren caregiver against dozens of santri at Pondok Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo in Pati Regency, Central Java. Kiai Cholil stressed that every form of violation, especially those occurring in educational institutions, must be firmly addressed in accordance with applicable law. Firm action is crucial to maintain public trust and prevent vigilante actions due to the time required for law enforcement processes. “MUI highlights the importance of the role of supervisory bodies such as the Majelis Masyayikh under the Ministry of Religious Affairs to be more active in monitoring and evaluating the organisation of education, especially in pesantren, to ensure it runs in accordance with regulations, ethics, and national goals,” he said. On the other hand, MUI invites the public to actively supervise educational environments and not hesitate to report any indications of deviations. He hopes that with strong supervision and involvement from all parties, similar cases will not recur, making educational institutions safe places for shaping the nation’s future generations. “And we hope that the public continues to monitor our educational institutions to see if there are any deviations anywhere,” he said. Previously, the Ministry of Religious Affairs urged law enforcement authorities to impose strict punishment on the perpetrator of sexual violence at the pesantren, as it has tarnished the values of education, religion, and morality. “We request that the suspected perpetrator of sexual violence at Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo be processed legally. We do not tolerate any sexual violence, especially in religious educational institutions,” said Director of Pesantren at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Basnang Said. As an initial step to support the law enforcement process, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has instructed a temporary halt to the registration of new santri at the pesantren.