Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs revokes license of Ndolo Kusumo pesantren in Central Java over sexual abuse

The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) cancelled the registered permit of Pondok Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo in Desa Tlogosari, Tlogowungu district, Pati Regency, Central Java, after allegations that a caretaker sexually abused a female student. Vice Minister Romo Muhammad Syafi’i announced that the pesantren may no longer admit new students, that staff who were aware but did not act have been deactivated, and that the alleged perpetrator is being prosecuted. The ministry’s factual verification on 4 May 2026 formed the basis for the revocation, which took effect on 5 May 2026. Of the 252 enrolled santri, all have been sent home and are temporarily continuing education online while Kemenag assesses placement in other pesantren or madrasahs. Kemenag stressed a zero‑tolerance policy for sexual violence and said it will introduce new regulations for pesantren oversight. A similar licence withdrawal was carried out in Lampung for another institution facing comparable allegations.