Perpetrators of Sexual Violence at Ndolo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School Must Face Stern Punishment
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs is urging law enforcement authorities to impose stern punishment on the perpetrator of sexual violence at Pondok Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo in Pati Regency, Central Java, as it has tarnished the values of religion, education, and morality.
“We demand that the alleged perpetrator of sexual violence at Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo be processed through the legal system. We do not tolerate any acts of sexual violence, especially in religious educational institutions,” stated Director of Pesantren at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Basnang Said, when contacted from Jakarta on Monday.
As an initial step to support the law enforcement process, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has instructed a temporary suspension of new student registrations at the pesantren.
This measure was taken by the Directorate of Pesantren to ensure that the police investigation becomes a priority in maintaining order and child protection, as well as improving the institutional governance of the pesantren.
“We recommend the temporary suspension of new student registrations at the relevant pondok pesantren until all issues have been thoroughly addressed,” he said.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee the handling of the case until there is certainty that the child care system, child protection, and institutional governance meet the established standards.
The pesantren is requested to appoint new educators/caregivers who possess capacity, moral integrity, and readiness to fully carry out santri care and guidance functions 24 hours a day.
“We request that the alleged perpetrator currently undergoing legal proceedings not carry out duties as a caregiver/leader or educational staff at the pondok pesantren to optimise santri care functions at present,” said Basnang Said.
In addition, the alleged perpetrator should no longer reside within the pesantren environment.
If the pesantren does not comply with these demands, the Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Central Java Regional Office may propose the deactivation of the pondok pesantren’s registration certificate.
Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi emphasised that the legal process must run concurrently with the comprehensive fulfilment of victims’ rights in the sexual violence case at the pondok pesantren.
“We urge law enforcement authorities to handle this case firmly, transparently, and justly,” she stated.
Her side highlighted the implementation of Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS).
There are allegations of molestation against dozens of female santri by the kiai of Pondok Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo in Tlogosari Village, Tlogowungu Subdistrict, Pati Regency. The victims are generally still in junior high school, classes VII to IX.
Some of them are orphans or children from poor families who rely on free education at the pesantren. The Pati Police Resort has named a kiai with initials AS as a suspect.