The alleged child abuse case at Pondok Pesantren Ndholo Kusumo in Pati Regency, Central Java, continues to unfold following the arrest of the religious school’s leader and suspect, Asyhari (51). Asyhari was apprehended by police after a multi-city chase that ended in Wonogiri. Authorities have now detained him and are actively investigating the possibility of other victims in this deeply concerning case. During the ongoing investigation, police have revealed several disturbing methods allegedly employed by Asyhari against the female students, ranging from requesting massages to indoctrinating them to blindly obey their teacher’s commands. This article delves into the latest developments surrounding the Pati pesantren abuse case.
The founder of Pondok Pesantren Ndholo Kusumo, identified as Asyhari, was successfully apprehended by the Pati Resort Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Sat Reskrim Polresta Pati) after an extensive inter-provincial pursuit. Kompol Dika Hadian Widya Wiratama, Head of the Pati Resort Police Criminal Investigation Unit, confirmed the arrest, stating, “Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), he has been caught.” Police had previously identified that the suspect was believed to have fled outside the Central Java region, as confirmed by Kombes Pol Artanto, Head of Public Relations for the Central Java Regional Police, on Wednesday (May 6). Dika elaborated that the arrest was the culmination of meticulously tracing Asyhari’s escape route, which saw him travel from Kudus to Bogor, then Jakarta, followed by Solo, before finally being captured in Wonogiri on Thursday (May 7).
Police have since revealed the predatory methods allegedly employed by Asyhari, the leader of Pondok Pesantren Ndholo Kusumo, in the alleged abuse of several female students. During a press conference on Thursday (May 7), Pati Resort Police Chief Kombes Pol Jaka Wahyudi stated, “The perpetrator would invite victims under the pretext of asking for a massage, entering their rooms.” Further investigative findings by Jaka indicate that Asyhari also exploited his position by indoctrinating the female students. He would tell them, “Students must follow what the teacher says so that they can absorb knowledge from the teacher. This was the doctrine conveyed by the teacher to the victims.” This manipulation created an environment of unquestioning obedience, facilitating the alleged abuse.
Footage of the arrest, obtained by Kumparan, shows officers interrogating Asyhari about the serious allegations against him. When questioned by police, Asyhari was heard saying, “It’s called molestation, sir.” He was also asked by officers about being referred to as a ‘kyai’ (a revered religious scholar or leader), to which he responded in Javanese, “Mboten kyai kulo” (I am not a kyai). This moment highlights the immediate confrontation with the accusations upon his capture.
Police are actively addressing claims from the victims’ legal counsel, who suggested that the number of alleged abuse victims at Pondok Pesantren Ndholo Kusumo, perpetrated by Asyhari (51), could be as high as 50 female students. However, Pati Resort Police Chief Jaka clarified to reporters on Thursday (May 7) that this figure is “not yet proven. So, that’s a narrative that has not become a fact because there has been no examination to that extent.” He affirmed the police’s commitment to a thorough investigation to uncover any other victims who have not yet come forward. To facilitate this, authorities have established a special post to accommodate reports from victims, witnesses, and other members of the community, which they believe will strengthen their ongoing inquiry into the Pati child abuse case.
Asyhari (51), the religious leader of Pondok Pesantren Ndholo Kusumo in Pati, Central Java, was immediately detained by police on Thursday (May 7) for allegedly molesting his female students. Kompol Dika Hadian Widya Wiratama confirmed at the Pati Resort Police station, “The suspect admitted his actions. We immediately detained him. So, during the journey as we brought him in, the suspect had already confessed, admitting to his transgression and expressing repentance.” Regarding previous rumors that Asyhari had claimed to be a prophet, police stated they have not received any corroborating information from victims or witnesses. Instead, Dika reiterated that the primary modus operandi conveyed earlier was the doctrine instructing students to implicitly obey their teacher.
Summary
Asyhari (51), pemimpin Pondok Pesantren Ndholo Kusumo di Pati, berhasil ditangkap di Wonogiri setelah pengejaran lintas kota atas tuduhan kekerasan terhadap anak. Ia adalah tersangka utama dalam kasus dugaan pelecehan seksual terhadap santriwati di pesantren tersebut. Polisi mengkonfirmasi penangkapannya dan langsung menahannya atas tuduhan serius ini.
Penyelidikan mengungkapkan Asyhari diduga melakukan pelecehan dengan meminta pijat dan mengindoktrinasi santriwati agar mematuhinya tanpa bertanya. Setelah ditangkap, ia mengakui perbuatannya dan menyebutnya “molestation.” Meskipun ada klaim dari kuasa hukum korban tentang jumlah korban yang mencapai 50 orang, polisi menyatakan angka tersebut belum terbukti dan terus menyelidiki dengan membuka posko khusus untuk laporan.