INDOPOSCO.ID – A pre-dawn raid on a girls’ Islamic boarding school (pesantren) in Mojolaban District, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, involving armed police personnel, has drawn serious concern from Indonesia’s Ombudsman. The National Police have been urged to review the way the operation was conducted, particularly with regard to human rights protections and the rights of children.
Ombudsman RI member Syafrida R. Rasahan delivered the warning in Jakarta on Saturday (October 31, 2026). The raid, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday (October 27, 2026), was reportedly linked to an investigation into the arson of a food stall in Grogol District, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, on September 12, 2026. The incident has since sparked public debate.
Syafrida stressed that the police have the authority to investigate criminal offenses. However, law enforcement powers must not be exercised at the expense of ethics, propriety, and human dignity.
“We respect the police’s efforts to thoroughly investigate the arson. Bringing perpetrators of violence to justice is part of their duty to ensure public safety. However, even legitimate authority must be exercised appropriately. A court-issued search warrant is not a license to act without limits,” Syafrida said in a statement, as quoted on Sunday (November 1, 2026).
The Ombudsman specifically raised concerns about the timing of the raid, which was conducted shortly before dawn at a girls’ dormitory, particularly given the presence of armed personnel. The National Police have been urged to review all procedures governing the operation.
“Every National Police official must act in accordance with legal provisions while respecting religious norms, standards of courtesy and decency, and upholding human rights. Searches must be conducted carefully, politely, ethically, and sympathetically, without arrogance or any conduct that disregards the dignity and worth of the people being searched,” she said.
According to the Ombudsman, the issue goes beyond investigative procedures. It also concerns constitutional guarantees of personal security, dignity, and child protection. These rights are enshrined in Article 28G (1) and Article 28B (2) of the 1945 Constitution and reinforced by Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights.
“Law enforcement and respect for human rights are not mutually exclusive. Rather, the commitment of law enforcement officers to human rights is being put to the test when dealing with children who have not been proven guilty,” Syafrida said.
The Ombudsman also emphasized that the female students were witnesses in the case and should therefore have been protected rather than subjected to pressure during the law enforcement process.
“The Juvenile Criminal Justice System Law requires every child witness to be accompanied by a parent, a trusted person, or a social worker at every stage of questioning. The new Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) also guarantees that witnesses are free from intimidation and that women receive assistance at every stage of examination. Being awakened in the early hours by armed officers could leave children with long-lasting trauma, and this should have been taken into account when the operation was planned,” she explained.
Beyond child protection, Syafrida stressed the importance of the presumption of innocence. The police were urged to refrain from making statements that could create negative perceptions of the pesantren or its residents before the allegations had been legally established.
“Police lines can be removed within two days, but a stigma that has already gone viral is far more difficult to erase. Providing clear information and restoring reputations are also part of law enforcement’s responsibility,” Syafrida asserted.
In response to the incident, the Ombudsman urged the police, particularly the Central Java Regional Police (Polda Jawa Tengah), to immediately take five concrete measures.
First, conduct an internal review of how the search and questioning were carried out, including allegations that firearms were pointed at individuals and concerns over the treatment of children, and publicly disclose the findings.
Second, provide the public with an explanation of the legal basis for the search, the status of those questioned as witnesses, and the pesantren’s connection to the case.
Third, promptly return all items unrelated to the investigation, particularly the students’ savings and personal belongings, and provide the owners with copies of the official seizure records, as required under the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
Fourth, ensure psychosocial recovery support for the female students and other affected children in coordination with institutions providing protection services for women and children.
Fifth, reinforce guidelines governing police operations at places where children live and study, such as dormitories, pesantren, and orphanages. These guidelines should include the involvement of female police officers from the outset and allow residents sufficient time to dress appropriately, preventing similar incidents from happening again.
Syafrida added that the Ombudsman’s recommendations were consistent with the Community-Oriented Policing doctrine promoted by National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto, including his commitment to protecting vulnerable groups during the first 100 days of his tenure.
“The National Police Chief himself has described fact-based criticism as an early warning system. We are offering this reminder in the same spirit, so that growing public trust is not undermined by inappropriate conduct,” she concluded.
The Ombudsman will subsequently ask its Central Java Provincial Office to monitor developments in the case. Should indications of maladministration emerge, the institution may pursue the matter in accordance with Law No. 37 of 2008 on the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, including through an own-motion investigation.
Parents and guardians of the students, as well as pesantren administrators who believe they have suffered losses, may also submit complaints directly to the Ombudsman RI headquarters or the nearest provincial office through its official complaint channels. (her)
