Sexual Violence in Pati, MUI: Authorities Must Be Firm, No Compromise Allowed

JAKARTA - The Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Pesantren Division, Ahmad Fahrur Rozi or Gus Fahrur, has urged authorities to take firm action regarding the sexual violence case that occurred at one of the pesantrens in Pati, Central Java. “I urge law enforcement to act quickly, firmly, and transparently, and to ensure that the perpetrator receives the maximum punishment without any loopholes for impunity,” he told Kompas.com via text message on Wednesday (6/5/2026). MUI also stressed that the perpetrator has damaged the honour of pesantrens and undermined public trust in them. “Therefore, there must be no protection, tolerance, or compromise towards the perpetrator in any form,” added Gus Fahrur. Furthermore, MUI demands a tangible santri protection system in this case, including independent reporting mechanisms, access to legal aid, and involvement of external parties in oversight. Sexual Violence at Pesantren in Pati As previously reported, the alleged molestation case against dozens of santriwati at one of the pesantrens in Pati Regency has advanced to the investigation stage. Police stated that they have obtained sufficient preliminary evidence after examining witnesses and reconstructing the crime scene. Pati Police Chief Kombes Pol Jaka Wahyudi mentioned that a kiai named Ashari was named as a suspect on 28 April 2026 following a case review meeting. However, police claimed that the handling process after the 2024 report was delayed due to attempts at family-based resolution from the victims’ side. Although already designated as a suspect, the perpetrator has not been detained to date because he is deemed cooperative during the examination process.