Minister Of Religion Asks Owners Of Islamic Boarding Schools For Raping Santri In South OKU To Be Strictly Sentenced

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has asked the owner of the Islamic boarding school who raped his students in Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Selatan to be punished to the fullest extent in order to be held accountable for his lewd acts.

"I ask for severe punishment for the perpetrators," said the Minister of Religion in a written statement quoted by Antara, Friday, December 31.

Previously, the owner and teacher of a boarding school in South OKU, South Sumatra, Moh. Thankfully, the police were arrested for allegedly raping his students until they gave birth.

The perpetrator raped the victim, SN (19), in April 2021. The incident was revealed by reports from residents around the Islamic boarding school who were suspicious of the victim's condition.

The victim gave birth to a baby on December 21, 2021 in the WC of the Islamic boarding school. Gratitude was later arrested on Monday.

The Minister of Religion said that he had taken strategic steps in addressing this issue. In addition to closing and stopping teaching and learning activities at the institution, the Ministry of Religion also sent all students back to their respective areas of origin.

"The Ministry of Religion will help them find other schools to continue their studies. The Ministry of Religion synergizes with madrasas within the scope of the Directorate General of Islamic Education of the Ministry of Religion," he said.

Yaqut said the Ministry of Religion was on the side of the victims. The Ministry of Religion will provide protection to parties who report cases of sexual violence that occur in religious education institutions.

"The Ministry of Religion declares war on perpetrators of sexual violence and will cooperate with law enforcement officials to pursue and clean up sexual predators in religious education institutions," he said.