Yakuza Maneges Seals Islamic Boarding School Over Alleged Abuse, Claims Community Support

The mass organisation Yakuza Maneges in East Java has sealed three locations of an Islamic boarding school (ponpes) in Bululawang District, Malang Regency, over alleged sexual abuse involving a school leader. Yakuza claims it received reports from victims and coordinated with local residents who say they have long been concerned.

The sealing was carried out after coordination with residents who were uneasy about the boarding school’s presence. According to gathered information, residents nearly burned down the school around 10 years ago due to similar recurring issues that were never legally resolved.

Yakuza Maneges Secretary General Rizky Bagus said the sealing was done to provide a sense of justice to the victims and to prevent wider social conflict in the community. He stated the decision was based on official reports and victim testimonies.

“Because of the firmness and support from residents and the victims’ statements, we proceeded to the police and temporarily sealed it so that this boarding school can be reformed,” Rizky told reporters.

The sealing was carried out at three boarding school locations in the same village. According to Rizky, all three locations are suspected to be part of the same boarding school network, despite being in different places.

Regarding the fate of the students, Rizky confirmed that all teaching and learning activities have been temporarily halted. All students who were living at the boarding school have also been sent home.