Perpetrator of Molestation in Pati Briefly Fled, Dudung: Accountability, Not Feigning Innocence

Makassar - The Presidential Chief of Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, has conveyed profound concern and empathy to the female students who became victims of molestation at Pondok Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo, Tlogosari Village, Pati, Central Java.

Dudung also highlighted that the incident of the perpetrator briefly fleeing must not be repeated.

He stressed that Indonesia is a state of law, so every citizen holds an equal position before the law.

“Whoever the perpetrator is, law enforcement must be carried out without discrimination. There must be no more attempts to evade police examinations,” Dudung stated in his remarks on Friday (8/5/2026).

The perpetrator of sexual violence, he said, must be held accountable for their actions before the law, rather than feeling unremorseful and fleeing.

“It is only right that perpetrators of sexual violence take responsibility for their deeds. Not flee and show no sense of guilt or regret,” he added.

He requested that law enforcement authorities and all related parties keep the victims’ identities confidential, especially since some victims are suspected to be minors.

“To protect the future of these underage children, the police and all parties should keep the victims’ identities confidential. The trauma and wounds experienced by the victims require state assistance so that their mental health and psychological trauma can be restored,” Dudung explained.

The alleged molestation falls under the category of sexual violence crimes as regulated in Article 4 paragraph (2) letter b of the Sexual Violence Crimes Law (UU TPKS).

Dudung also addressed the power dynamics in cases of sexual violence within educational environments.

He believes that educational institutions, including pesantren, must be safe spaces for students, not places where authority is abused by those in power.

“I condemn the actions of the perpetrator, who is none other than a leader in an educational institution. He must not hide behind his position as a leader of an educational institution and misuse that status and authority to exploit students. Such power dynamics are highly intimidating and must be thoroughly investigated,” Dudung said.