Indonesian Islamic School Caretaker Kiai Ashari Flees After Abuse Allegations, Later Captured

Hundreds of people gathered at the Ndholo Kusumo Islamic boarding school in Tlogosari village, Central Java, on May 2. They chanted slogans and held banners reading "Women are not sexual objects" and "The Predator." The crowd targeted 58-year-old caretaker Kiai Ashari as police escorted him away. Authorities suspect him of sexually abusing dozens of female students, most orphans from poor families, over several years.

The case has sparked outrage in Indonesia and exposed widespread sexual abuse in Islamic boarding schools. Multiple witnesses who accused Ashari later withdrew their statements. One victim filed an official complaint and indicated as many as 50 others suffered his abuse.

"[The number of victims] is 30 to 50 children based on the victim's statement," victim's attorney Ali Yusron told the BBC. "I handled one victim, but the legal process tells of many victims. One person reveals everything."

Police on May 4 said Ashari, named a suspect on April 28, had not been detained but would not flee. He did anyway that day, heading from Pati to Bogor, Jakarta and Solo. Officers arrested him on the night of May 6 at a mosque in Wonogiri, Central Java.

Pati police chief Jaka Wahyudi told reporters on May 7 that the victim endured abuse 10 times at various locations from February 2020 to January 2024. Ashari allegedly entered her room pretending to request a massage, then ordered her to undress and committed acts including touching, squeezing and kissing.

After the tenth incident, the victim informed her father, who filed a police report.

Ashari, who founded the Ndholo Kusumo school, faced prior abuse allegations dating to 2022. "The victims are female students, mostly MTs students," Ali said. "Three years in a row, they change at will."

In 2024, Pati Police's Women and Children's Services Unit received reports of sexual crimes against teen minors. Some charges were dropped after investigation. Jaka told the BBC that probes hit obstacles, including four victims withdrawing statements.

"The victim and the victim's parents expressed their intention to resolve the matter amicably," he said. "Therefore, several witnesses withdrew their testimony at the time, citing concerns about their children's future."

Police named Ashari a suspect last month after two years. Authorities continue to investigate victim numbers. The allegations reflect a pattern in Indonesia's Islamic boarding schools.

Ashari reportedly taught female students false doctrines, claiming to be a saint with superhuman powers or a prophet's descendant deserving honor.

Imam Nahe'i, a member of the PBNU Anti-Sexual Violence Unit and former National Commission on Violence Against Women commissioner, told the BBC that abuse cases in these schools follow similar patterns. Caretakers often promote "shamanism or mysticism" over rational teachings.

"Then there are also those who claim to be guardians," he added. "If you don't obey them, you'll go to hell."

Imam Nahe'i said schools normalize touching, hugging and kissing students, fostering tolerance for sexual violence. He cited a Sumenep school case from 2017, uncovered recently, showing long-term tolerance.

Teachers at his own large boarding school misunderstood sexual violence, he found. "They said sexual violence is defined as penetration," he said. "If it hasn't reached that point, it's not considered sexual violence – it's just a kind of sin."

Lack of government oversight worsens the problem. Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs issued 2022 rules on sexual violence in education, but individually founded boarding schools evade regulation.

"In order for Islamic boarding schools to have clear regulations and a task force, I think the Ministry of Religion really needs to push for this," Imam Nahe'i said. "In addition, supervision from the Ministry of Religion and the community regarding these newly emerging Islamic boarding schools must be stricter."

The Ndholo Kusumo school, permitted since 2021 and housing at least 252 students, has closed. Students went home. If it fails standards, it faces permanent shutdown.

The Ministry of Religion recommends dismissing and evicting suspected abusers from school grounds. It urges schools nationwide to hire staff with moral integrity for round-the-clock student care.