The investigation into alleged sexual abuse at the Ndholo Kusumo Pondok Pesantren in Tlogowungu, Pati, has revealed a significant discrepancy between official police records and claims made by the victims’ legal counsel. While the Pati City Police have officially identified five victims to date, the lawyer representing the victims suggests the actual number could be as high as 50 female students.
Kompol Dika Hadian Widya Wiratama, Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Pati City Police, confirmed on Tuesday that the victim count has fluctuated since the initial report. Out of the five victims currently on record, three have reportedly withdrawn their statements, leaving investigators with formal testimonies from only two victims, including the original complainant.
In response to the claims made by the victims’ lawyer, Ali Yusron, who stated that the scale of the abuse could involve dozens of underage students, Kompol Dika urged for the submission of valid evidence. “If there truly are 50 victims, we request that the data be shared with us. We want to avoid these claims turning into wild rumors that unsettle the community,” Dika stated. He further guaranteed that the identity of every individual who comes forward will be kept strictly confidential.
Despite the withdrawal of some statements, the police emphasized that the legal proceedings against the suspect, Asyhari, will not be halted. Under Indonesian law, cases involving sexual violence are classified as general offenses (delik umum) rather than complaint-based offenses. “The withdrawal of a report does not stop the investigation. This case stands above standard criminal codes in that regard; I can assure you the case will continue,” Dika clarified.
Authorities are now calling on other potential victims, as well as their families or neighbors, to report any related incidents to the Satreskrim office. The police believe that a higher number of testimonies will provide a stronger foundation for the prosecution and help the judiciary consider the maximum possible sentence for the perpetrator.
“Our goal is to see that justice is served with the harshest possible penalty. Having more victims come forward will serve as a critical consideration for the judges when determining the final verdict,” Dika added. He also expressed deep gratitude to the survivors who have already demonstrated the courage to speak up, noting that their bravery helps protect others and strengthens the fight for justice.
Earlier, Ali Yusron reported that while eight students had officially requested his legal assistance, witness accounts indicated a much larger scope of abuse. According to Yusron, the victims are believed to be middle school students in their first and second years, with the total number potentially ranging between 30 and 50 individuals.
Summary
The Pati Police Department has clarified that, as of now, only five students have been identified as victims of sexual abuse at the Ndholo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School, contradicting claims by the victims’ legal counsel that there were 50. Although some victims have withdrawn their reports, the police emphasized that the investigation will continue, as sexual violence is a general offense that does not rely solely on a formal complaint.
The police have urged the legal team to provide valid evidence if there are indeed dozens of other victims so that the investigation can be expanded. Furthermore, the authorities have guaranteed the confidentiality of those who come forward and are encouraging the public to provide information to ensure the perpetrator receives the maximum penalty in court.