This is the Appearance of Kiai Ashari, Suspected of Molesting Dozens of Female Students, When Arrested

Pati, VIVA - Kiai Ashari, the head of the Ndolo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School in Tlogosari Village, Tlogowungu Subdistrict, Pati Regency, Central Java, has been arrested by police.

Based on photos received, when arrested, Kiai Ashari was seen wearing a batik shirt and shorts. Kiai Ashari also appeared to be wearing a leather jacket. The individual looked lethargic. The Pati City Police Chief, Commissioner Jaka Wahyudi, stated that Kiai Ashari had been hiding outside Pati.

“Suspected of hiding outside the city,” he said on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

The case came to light after dozens of female students were allegedly victims of sexual violence by a boarding school head.

The victims’ legal representative, Ali Yusron, stated that the report had been filed with the Pati Police Station since 2024. However, he assessed that the handling of the case had taken quite a long time despite being accompanied by several pieces of evidence, including medical examination results.

This incident has also triggered public reactions. Mass actions were reported on Saturday, 2 May 2026, as an expression of disappointment over the alleged case affecting the female students.

“We demand that this be followed up as a preventive measure from relevant institutions on how there is supervision of educational institutions to intensify the implementation of good education and to be vigilant against deviations in the organisation of education,” said Cholil Nafis.

In addition, he highlighted the role of supervisory bodies such as the Majelis Masyayikh under the Ministry of Religious Affairs to be more active in monitoring and evaluating the conduct of education in pesantren to ensure it remains in accordance with regulations and ethics.

The MUI also invites the public to actively participate in supervising educational environments and to report if they find indications of deviations. With stronger supervision and involvement from various parties, it is hoped that educational institutions can become safe places for students.