JAKARTA: An elementary school teacher in North Sumatra province has been named a suspect in an alleged sexual abuse case involving eight students.
The 36-year-old contract teacher, identified by police only by his initials MJH, taught Islamic religious studies at a public elementary school in Namorambe district, Deli Serdang regency. He was detained on Oct 27 after parents and local residents confronted him at the school, accusing him of sexually abusing their children and threatening to assault him.
Deli Serdang Police Chief Senior Commissioner Muhammad said investigators named MJH as a suspect after finding sufficient preliminary evidence linking him to the alleged offences.
"The suspect has admitted to the allegations. He told investigators that he had inappropriately touched the students during lessons since July," Muhammad said.
The case came to light in October, prompting the parents of the eight alleged victims to file a police report, he said.
Investigators have questioned all eight children, secured evidence and arranged medical examinations of the alleged victims, Muhammad said. Police are also investigating whether other students may have been abused.
"We are still looking into the possibility of additional victims.
The investigation is ongoing," he said. The suspect has been detained at Deli Serdang Police headquarters as the investigation continues.
MJH has been charged under Article 6 of the 2022 Sexual Violence Eradiation Law as well as Article 415 of the Criminal Code on sexual abuse against children.
“He faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years if convicted,” Muhammad said. Deli Serdang Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan said MJH had worked as a contract teacher, teaching religious studies, for about a year.
The local administration had since terminated his employment in response to the allegations, he said.
"The Deli Serdang administration is deeply disappointed and shocked by this case," Asri said, adding that the administration would take steps to prevent similar cases from happening again.
Separately, Saripuddin Daulay, head of the Deli Serdang Religious Affairs Office, said his office supported the legal proceedings against MJH. He said the alleged offences violated the moral standards, professional ethics and integrity expected of educators, while undermining public confidence in the education sector and the Religious Affairs Ministry.
"We fully support the legal proceedings against MJH and will not tolerate any form of sexual violence in educational institutions," Saripuddin said. The case comes amid broader concerns over sexual violence against children in Indonesia.
According to data from the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry, some 21,352 children experienced violence in 2025, including 12,338 cases of sexual abuse.
Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi said last month that cases of violence reported publicly represent only a fraction of the actual scale of the problem. She said that the 2024 National Survey on Women's Life Experiences found that one in four women aged 15 to 64 had experienced physical and/or sexual violence.
Meanwhile, the 2024 National Survey on the Life Experiences of Children and Adolescents found that one in two children in Indonesia had experienced at least one form of violence.
"Violence is not simply a legal issue or a family matter. It is a humanitarian issue that affects victims' safety, dignity, human rights and future. Success should not be measured simply by how many cases we handle, but by how effectively we prevent violence and ensure victims receive the support and services they need. Every woman and child has the right to live free from violence and fear,” Arifah said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
