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student of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta has abused at least nine children during his service as an activist, according to reports filed by the alleged victims.

PDW, 21, is accused of abusing and molesting teenage boys throughout his career as an environmentalist.

The East Kalimantan Police revealed the identity of the suspect in a press conference on Tuesday.

“The suspect, identified by his initials PDW, is an international-level environmental activist and educator,” said the police’s general crime investigation division director, Sr. Comr. Hilman.

Media reports later claimed that PDW was Pandu Dharma Wicaksono, a student of UGM’s School of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol). Pandu reportedly began to work as an educator when he was a student of SMA 1 state senior high school in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Pandu developed his career through Green Generation, an environmental organization for children and teenagers he founded in Balikpapan. He was later elected the president of the organization and serves in that position until today.

“We arrested the suspected perpetrator in Yogyakarta, the city where he is currently pursuing his studies, last Thursday,” said Hilman. Shortly after his arrest, Pandu had been taken to Balikpapan and was now detained at the East Kalimantan Police headquarters, he went on.

Hilman said that, based on a preliminary investigation, at least nine children were believed to have been sexually molested by the suspect.

Hilman said police had also confiscated mobile phones and laptops Pandu had possibly used to communicate with his victims.

“Several victims confided in [partners of the police] that they had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of the suspect [...]. We then jointly investigated the reports, beginning on Oct. 20,” said Hilman. He was referring to officials from the Balikpapan Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Agency and from child protection NGO Lentera.

All of the alleged victims, who range in age from 12 to 16 years, are members or activists of Green Generation.
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“The suspect, identified by his initials PDW, is an international-level environmental activist and educator.”

The victims reportedly described in disturbing detail the sexual acts Pandu allegedly committed against them. “As his criminal method, the suspect persuaded his victims to meet him at a certain location. He then performed sexual acts on them, such as giving them oral sex,” said Hilman. Pandu allegedly abused teenage boys since 2013.

Police claimed the suspect had committed the acts at his home in Balikpapan and at hotels in Palu (Central Sulawesi), Samarinda (East Kalimantan) and Tarakan (North Kalimantan).

Aside from Green Generation, Pandu is reportedly active at the Balikpapan Child Forum. In 2011, he was selected as Special Envoy on the Rights of the Child and represented Indonesia at an event called “Child Friendly City Asia Pacific.”

Pandu has participated in discussions to propose the declaration of a mayoral regulation on cigarette smoke-free zones in Balikpapan.

The young activist has also taken part in scientific essay competitions. His most outstanding research paper — on sea pollution in the Balikpapan Bay — was named one of the five best papers in the Water and Marine category at the 2013 International Youth Green Summit. On his LinkedIn social media account, Pandu states he is the Honorary Youth Ambassador at New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.

Green Generation quickly responded to the arrest with a statement circulated via social media.

“Regarding reports in connection with one of our officials, we firmly announce that the issue is purely the personal responsibility of that person and not part of the interests of Green Generation as an organization,” it said.

UGM public relations and protocol head Iva Ariani confirmed that Pandu was a UGM student. “If it is confirmed that he committed the wrong deeds, UGM will not hesitate to impose tough sanctions.”