October 14, 2025 | 07:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, has raised concerns over what he described as media exaggeration of sexual crimes in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren).
Speaking at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture office in Jakarta on Tuesday, Nasaruddin argued that the actual number of incidents is far lower than what is widely reported.
"The sexual offenses in Islamic boarding schools have been sensationalized by the media, when in fact the number of cases is small," he said.
Nasaruddin warned that such media coverage has cast a shadow over Islamic boarding schools, but he did not cite specific cases during his remarks.
Recent incidents, however, have drawn national attention. Tempo previously reported on a case in Ciamis, West Java, where a teacher, identified as NHN, raped a female student from November 2024 to February 2025.
The victim, who was underage at the time, was in the eighth grade of junior high school. The case came to light in June, and the perpetrator is now being processed by the Ciamis Police.
In another case last April in Tulungagung, East Java, a 26-year-old man, AIA, was named a suspect for sexually assaulting multiple students at an Islamic boarding school.
Meanwhile, the Center for Islamic Studies and Society (PPIM) at UIN Jakarta reported in July that male students are actually more vulnerable to sexual violence than female students.
Nasaruddin expressed concern that sensational media coverage could harm the reputation of Islamic boarding schools, which have a long history in Indonesia, predating the country’s independence.
He highlighted that the founders of these schools worked with dedication and sincerity, and negative publicity risks undermining public trust.
"We don’t want people to become averse to sending their children to Islamic boarding schools," he said, urging the public to preserve and appreciate these institutions. Indonesia currently has 42,369 Islamic boarding schools, all privately funded and often operating with very limited resources.
The minister also referenced the tragic mosque collapse at Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, on September 29, which claimed more than 60 lives.
He said the disaster underscored the urgent need for government support and funding to ensure the safety and sustainability of these schools.
"Many people send their children to Islamic boarding schools because of the sincerity and selflessness found there, and many schools even provide free education," Nasaruddin concluded.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia Faces Rp1,292.7 Trillion in Unspent Budget in Final Months of 2025
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Today's Top 3 News: Sweden Says Alleged Mistreatment of Greta Thunberg by Israeli Forces 'Very Serious'
7 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Indonesia Ends Rescue Efforts for Islamic School Building Collapse After Nine Days
7 hari lalu
Basarnas halts the search and rescue process at the collapsed Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school building in Sidoarjo today. The SAR operation has lasted for 9 days.
BNPB: All Bodies Recovered from Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School Rubble
7 hari lalu
The BNPB estimates that there are 63 victims buried under the rubble of Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school's musholla in Sidoarjo.
Two Still Missing as Indonesia's East Java Islamic Boarding School Collapse Kills 61
7 hari lalu
A joint search and rescue team is still continuing the evacuation process a week after the collapse of the musala at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School.
Minister: Only 50 of 42,000 Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia Have Building Permits
7 hari lalu
Indonesian Minister of Public Works mentioned that only 50 out of 42,000 Islamic boarding schools have permits to establish buildings.
Death Toll Rises to 60 in East Java School Collapse
7 hari lalu
The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team is still searching for victims of the building collapse in the East Java school, as 3 people remain missing.
Fatalities Rise to 49 in Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School Collapse
8 hari lalu
As of midnight on Sunday, October 5, 2025, the confirmed death toll from the collapse of the mosque at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School reached 49.
37 Bodies Recovered from Ruins of Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School
9 hari lalu
Indonesia's National rescue team aims to clear the rubble of Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school building by Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Govt Admits Some Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia Built Without Proper Permits
10 hari lalu
The Ministry of Religious Affairs pledges to tighten supervision over the construction process at Islamic boarding schools.
BNPB: Rescuers Find 118 After Indonesian School Building Collapse, 14 Dead
10 hari lalu
A joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team is still conducting the evacuation process for the deceased victims under the rubble of Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school's building.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5109984/original/014787400_1737901129-medium-shot-girl-helping-brother_23-2148748684.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5265873/original/051498900_1750934466-WhatsApp_Image_2025-06-20_at_19.09.02_1_.jpeg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5237589/original/092987300_1748596794-Ibu_hamil.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5238090/original/074714200_1748671861-family-spending-time-together-mother-with-four-kids-standing-holding-hands-against-white-suv-car.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5261980/original/057446900_1750732334-front-view-sad-girl-with-hair-comb.jpg)
