Preacher SAM Designated as Suspect in Santri Harassment Case
Indonesia’s National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) has designated preacher with initials SAM as a suspect in a sexual harassment case. SAM was named as a suspect after investigators conducted a case review related to a report of alleged harassment against santri.
“Based on the case review conducted by investigators based on police report number LP/B/586/XI/2025/SPKT/Bareskrim Polri dated 28 November 2025, the investigators have designated Mr SAM as a suspect,” said Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Head of Public Information at the Police Public Relations Division, to reporters on Friday (24/4/2026), as reported by detikNews.
Trunoyudo explained that the investigation is being conducted by the Directorate of Child Protection and Women’s Crimes (PPA) and Specific Crimes (PPO) at Bareskrim Polri. This reflects Polri’s commitment to providing protection to victims.
The police have also reportedly issued a Notification of Investigation Progress (SP2HP) to the reporter or victim with initials MMA. The letter was signed by the investigator on 22 April 2026.
“The reporter or victim has been notified of the investigation progress through SP2HP number B/66/IV/Res.1.24/2026/Dittipid PPA and PPO to Mr MMA on 22 April 2026, signed by the investigator,” he clarified.
It is known that SAM was reported to Bareskrim Polri for the alleged sexual harassment of santri. According to statements from the victims’ legal representative, Benny Jehadu, the suspect often appears on television as a judge for Quran recitation.
“The suspect with initials SAM often features on one of the private TV programmes,” said Benny Jehadu when met at Bareskrim Polri on Thursday (12/3).
“The evidence we submitted to the investigators earlier includes chat evidence, videos, and several other pieces of evidence. The video shows something like a tabayyun, where there is an apology from the perpetrator to religious scholars,” explained another legal representative for the victims, Wati Trisnawati.
The harassment victims are suspected to number more than one. The legal representatives stated that all their clients are traumatised by the incident.
“The victims for our clients currently number five, as we have clearly stated that this case involves sexual harassment not of girls, but boys, same-sex, with some underage and some adults,” explained Benny Jehadu.
The unlawful acts are believed to have occurred over a considerable period, spanning years. The locations of the incidents, as examined by the police, are said to be in several different places.
Preacher Syekh Ahmad Al Misry Speaks Out
After this case emerged, preacher Syekh Ahmad Al Misry spoke out. He uploaded a clarification video on his Instagram. Ahmad recounted that he departed for Egypt on 15 March to accompany his mother.
“I, Syekh Ahmad Al Misry, departed for Egypt on 15 March 2026 and arrived in Egypt on 16 March 2026 to accompany my mother who was ill and underwent surgery on 17 March 2026,” he said.
He then received a police summons 15 days after being in Egypt, on 30 March 2026. He also stated that at the time, he was summoned as a witness.
“So the police summons came about 15 days after I was in Egypt. I thank Bareskrim and the investigators for allowing me to provide testimony online,” he said.
“And this police summons was as a witness, not as a suspect as many people have imagined or spread. Secondly, the allegation of harassment against santri is not true,” Ahmad continued.
Ahmad stated that he has handed over the alleged harassment case to his legal representatives. He also considers the circulating information as slander.
“So please be thorough because the evidence I have has been submitted to my legal representatives to hand over to the authorities, and there are also witnesses,” he said.
“And I ask the ustadz who spread this information, or slander, or accusation, to produce even one video. I issue a fatwa accordingly. By Allah, I have never issued a fatwa on such matters, and this is a very cruel slander being spread on many social media platforms,” he added.