Scout Leader in Palembang Arrested for Abusing Eight Pupils Over Five Years

A Scout leader in Palembang, South Sumatra, who allegedly sexually abused eight pupils under his care over five years, has been arrested in the Sungsang area of Banyuasin Regency.

The suspect is said to have repeatedly threatened to distribute and sell recordings of the abuse on social media.

South Sumatra Police’s Directorate of Women and Children Protection and Protection of Women and Children (PPA PPO) director, Senior Commissioner Andes Purwanti, said the suspect was a Scout leader at a junior secondary school in Palembang. The alleged offences took place from 2021 until August 2026. Eight junior secondary school pupils have so far been identified as victims.

“The suspect’s method was very devious. He promised his pupils gifts, including mobile phones, and then committed indecent acts. He deliberately recorded each incident and used the recordings to threaten the victims into keeping quiet and doing what he wanted,” Andes said at a press conference on Monday (12 October).

Andes said the suspect had also used Scout activities to get close to his victims. The recorded videos were allegedly offered for sale and sold through various social media platforms. Police are investigating the allegation and tracing the network through which the footage may have been distributed.

Police seized several items of evidence, including mobile phones, a laptop, data-storage devices and clothing worn by the suspect. They urged members of the public, particularly anyone who believes they may have been a victim or knows of a similar case, to report it to South Sumatra Police.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that there are other victims who have not yet come to light. The case is still under investigation and further examination,” she said.

The case first came to light after police found suspicious content pointing to suspected molestation and rape of a minor.

The suspect has been charged under Article 473(3)(a) and (b), in conjunction with Article 473(4), of the Criminal Code, and Article 415(b) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code. He faces a prison sentence of between three and 15 years.