Puan Demands Harsh Punishment for Sexual Violence Perpetrator at Pati Pesantren

House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani stated that perpetrators of sexual violence who hold positions of power within pesantren environments must face heavy punishments. She made this remark in response to the case of alleged sexual violence against a female student at a pesantren in Pati Regency, Central Java, which has entered a new phase. “Of course, the perpetrator must receive firm sanctions, especially since the UU TPKS provides for additional penalties for influential figures in their environment,” Puan said in her official statement on Monday (4/5/2026). “The continued prevalence of sexual violence cases in Indonesia indicates ongoing vulnerabilities in safe spaces for children and women, particularly in environments with strong power relations,” Puan added. According to her, victims’ subordinate positions in these power dynamics make it difficult for them to report or access assistance. Therefore, the issue extends beyond the perpetrators to the ineffective protection system. Puan also urged authorities not to focus solely on legal processes but to ensure victims receive comprehensive protection, including legal accompaniment and psychological recovery. “In addition to fair legal handling of the case, including the swift arrest of the suspect who has been designated as such, we urge law enforcement and the government to ensure victims receive comprehensive protection,” Puan stated. The PDI-P politician emphasised that the state must not tolerate sexual violence in any form, and the House of Representatives will continue to monitor the case. Police have stated they possess sufficient preliminary evidence following witness examinations and scene processing. Pati Police Chief Commissioner Jaka Wahyudi mentioned that the suspect, initialled Ashari, was designated as a suspect on 28 April 2026 after a case review meeting. The case was actually reported as early as 2024. However, police claimed the handling process was delayed due to attempts at family-based resolution from the victim’s side. Although already a suspect, the perpetrator has not been detained to date, as he is deemed cooperative during examinations.