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Police HQ says 'no problem' with E. Java sexual abuse case, despite bungled arrest
The National Police has said that the East Java Police had "no trouble" with a sexual abuse case involving the son of a pesantren head, despite a recently bungled attempt at arresting the suspect that was caught on video.
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Members of the East Java Police attend the National Police’s 76th anniversary on July 5, 2022 in Surabaya. (Antara/Didik Suhartono)
T
he National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) has issued a statement that the East Java Police had “no trouble” with handling a sexual abuse case that involved the son of a prominent kyai (Islamic teacher) in Jombang regency.
Bareskrim chief Brig. Gen. Andi Rian Djajadi said the National Police had not sent assistance to the provincial police. “So far, the handling by the East Java Police has been smooth, no trouble,” Andi said in Jakarta as quoted by Tempo.
On Sunday, the East Java Police failed to arrest Moh. Subchi Azal Tsani, also known as Mas Bechi, the son of the head of Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) Shiddiqiyah, Muhammad Mukhtar Mukthi.
In 2019, Subchi was named a suspect in a sexual abuse case involving an underage female student at the school. Subchi then filed a pretrial motion, which the Surabaya District Court rejected in December 2021.
Earlier this year, the case was declared ready for trial, but the suspect ignored three police summonses and was subsequently put on the police’s wanted list.
On Sunday, around 200 local policemen, along with 30 soldiers, arrived at the pesantren and attempted to arrest Subchi.
In a video clip circulating on social media, the suspect’s father Mukhtar is seen telling Jombang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Moh. Nurhidayat to withdraw. He also calls the sexual abuse case a lie to the thundering approval of those present. The police chief nods silently.
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest Muslim organization, has called on the police continue pursuing the case, with NU East Java executive Abdussalam Sokhib telling the media that the police needed to find another solution.
“If [the case] is not solved, it will unsettle many parties and become a terrible precedent for law enforcement,” Abussalam said as quoted by Tempo on Wednesday.
He said the majority of pesantren were very cooperative and would always support authorities in fair, transparent and indiscriminate enforcement of the law.
