Santri Burn Victims in Lombok Prevented from Flying to Densu Podcast

Two Islamic boarding school (santri) students who were victims of an alleged arson attack at a pesantren in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), were prevented from flying to Jakarta to fulfil an invitation to appear on Denny Sumargo’s podcast. Their departure was halted by police officers at Zainuddin Abdul Majid International Airport (BIZAM) in Central Lombok. The intervention was made on the grounds that the victims’ health conditions were not yet fully recovered and that the legal process in the case is still being intensively pursued by the police. Joko Jumadi, Chair of the Mataram Child Protection Agency (LPA) and legal counsel for the victims, confirmed the cancellation of the trip. He stressed that the police action was not a unilateral ban but rather a measure taken for the children’s physical safety. ‘It is not a prohibition. The case is still in process, and the victims are still undergoing treatment and recovery. How could a child still being treated in hospital suddenly be taken to Jakarta?’ Joko said. Joko explained that he had been contacted by the inviting party from Jakarta but rejected the plan because the current focus is on the victims’ medical recovery. He added that all hospital treatment costs are being covered directly by NTB Police Chief Inspector General Kalingga Rendra Raharja. ‘The person responsible for the hospital treatment is the Police Chief. So, if you want permission, you must ask the Police Chief directly, who has been assisting with the treatment,’ he added. The Mataram LPA confirmed that all the victims’ needs, including medical treatment, continuation of education, and post-trauma psychological support, are being adequately met. There has been no official statement from the police regarding the airport interception. However, the police have confirmed that the criminal investigation is progressing. NTB Police Chief Inspector General Kalingga Rendra Raharja stated that investigators will soon conduct a case review to determine the legal status of the suspected perpetrators. ‘Following the case review, God willing, suspects will be named,’ Kalingga said. The alleged arson case involving three santri at the Rosudatussaulatiyah Al Ibrahimy Islamic Boarding School in Central Lombok gained public attention after a video of the victims went viral on social media. The incident, which occurred in December 2025, resulted in the death of one santri.