Orphanage Permit in Buleleng at Risk of Revocation Following Alleged Rape
The permit for Ganesha Sevanam Orphanage in Sawan subdistrict, Buleleng, Bali, is at risk of being revoked. The threat of permit revocation stems from its owner, initialled JMW, who is suspected of raping and abusing the children under his care at the orphanage.
Head of the Bali Social Services, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection Agency (P3A), Anak Agung Sagung Mas Dwipayani, explained that the plan to revoke the permit is due to the owner having been designated as a suspect by the police.
“If the court ruling confirms that the suspect is indeed guilty, the (orphanage) permit will be revoked in accordance with the social welfare regulation,” said Sagung on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
In general, Sagung revealed that orphanage permits are issued by the licensing agency based on recommendations from the local social services department. This aligns with Social Welfare Regulation Number 5 of 2024 on Social Welfare Institutions (LKS).
Bali Social Services has also imposed sanctions on the perpetrator by temporarily dismissing him as the foundation’s chairman and halting all orphanage activities until a court decision is reached.
“Currently, the positions of the victim children are safe at home, while 22 others remain at Ganesha Sevanam Orphanage pending the temporary suspension letter,” Sagung stated.
Sagung said that in the future, supervision of orphanages will be strengthened through routine monitoring and enforcement of child protection-based childcare standards.
“Prevention efforts will also be carried out through education for children, as well as providing safe complaint mechanisms with support from cross-sectoral synergy,” Sagung explained.
It was previously reported that the owner of Ganesha Sevanam Orphanage in Sawan subdistrict, Buleleng, Bali, JMW, has been officially named a suspect. JMW is suspected of being involved in a case of abuse up to rape against his wards.
Buleleng Police Chief, AKBP Ruzi Gusman, said the suspect designation was made after the police obtained sufficient evidence from the investigation results. The investigation was conducted following a report from one of the victims.
“We have conducted an investigation based on the reporter’s report. From there, we endeavoured to gather evidence, and once sufficient, coercive measures were taken in the form of arresting the suspect, followed by detention,” said Ruzi on Wednesday (30/3/2026).
Ruzi revealed that the suspect was arrested on Monday night (30/3/2026) and is now detained.