Teacher Suspected of Sexual Violence in Tanjungbalai Receives Disciplinary Punishment

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has confirmed that a state primary school teacher suspected of committing sexual violence against a pupil in Tanjungbalai, North Sumatra, has been given a disciplinary punishment by the local government. “That is a local government employee. The disciplinary process for civil servants is handled by the local government,” said Kemendikdasmen Secretary General Suharti to Media Indonesia on Sunday (26/7). The Tanjungbalai City Government has stressed it is taking the case seriously. Regional Inspector Indra Halomoan Nasution said that for civil servants, including Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK), who are proven to have violated employment regulations and legal rules, there are certainly sanctions. In this viral case, legal proof is necessary. Because the suspect falls under the authority of the education department, the initial action is the responsibility of the relevant department, followed by the Inspectorate and BKPSDM. “The individual is a civil servant (PPPK), so in this case, we from the Inspectorate must first align with the results from the Education Department. The Education Department must handle and clarify the issues that occurred,” said Indra. Indra added that the case requires clarification not just of the viral aspects, but of matters concerning behaviour, character, and the actions taken by the individual. “The legal aspects are handled by law enforcement officials, while the attitude and disciplinary violations are handled by their direct superior (the Education Department) and also under the supervision of the Inspectorate and BKPSDM,” said Indra Halomoan Nasution. At the same occasion, Head of the Education Department Bukhori Ginting explained that the teacher, identified by the initials AIK, serves at a primary school in Teluk Nibung. Before the case went viral in late June 2026, it had already reached the Education Department via a report from the school principal through a letter. The principal’s report was followed up by summoning the principal for questioning or clarification regarding the issues at the school. Based on the principal’s explanation, the case did not directly involve the teacher in question. “But later, rumours circulated in the community linking the teacher with the initials AIK to involvement in the issues allegedly committed by her husband,” said Bukhori. He continued that his office also summoned the victim’s family for clarification, where the victim stated that the teacher AIK was indicated to be involved in the incident. The teacher AIK was then summoned for clarification. As a result of that clarification, the teacher stated that the problems alleged by the victim’s family were not committed by them. “Up to this stage, we cannot yet conclude how we will treat the teacher, but because it is disturbing the community, we have coordinated with BKPSDM for further process and handling,” said Bukhori Ginting. Meanwhile, the Head of BKPSDM, Ahmad Suang Kupon, confirmed that AIK is a part-time PPPK. Following the Education Department’s examination, AIK did not admit to the acts alleged by the victim’s family and the community. Therefore, Kupon stated, the procedure requires AIK to be examined by the Inspectorate. The results of the inspectorate’s examination will be submitted to BKPSDM for further process. “If proven guilty, the individual can be subject to sanctions or disciplinary punishment based on the team’s recommendation. The heaviest sanction is dismissal,” he concluded.