A former headmaster of an Islamic boarding school in Lombok, Indonesia, has been arrested after a BBC investigation exposed a web of sexual abuse allegations.
Ahmad Imanuddin Sumar, known to students as “Abah,” ran the Abul Barokat boarding school. Police reopened his case after the BBC World Service reported that former pupils had independently gathered evidence and presented accusations of molestation and attempted rape.
Key student whistle‑blowers – Ziadatur Rahmah, or “Zia,” and Sukma Rohana Fajar – began their own investigation when Zia confided that Abah had sexually assaulted her at age 17. Even while studying abroad, the pair coordinated with classmates, assembled a seven‑page dossier of allegations, and approached the organization that ran the school.
Instead of support, the students say they were pressured to back down. Abah even recorded a private phone call in which he asked them to “cover the shame of your teacher,” adding that their accusations were “just mistakes.”
After the BBC released its report, 12 additional former students stepped forward, sharing their own stories of abuse. Police interviews with those victims now form part of a growing criminal inquiry.
The community reaction has been swift and often emotional. Parents arriving on the island after the broadcast demanded immediate removal of their children from the school, with one mother saying she was moved to tears upon hearing the allegations.
Abah resigned from his post and has said he will respect the legal process. The school’s governing body – Nahdlatul Wathan Diniyah Islamiyah (NWDI) – denied cover‑up and pledged to safeguard future students while it conducts an internal review.
The case continues to unfold, with authorities aiming to bring justice to those hurt and to prevent similar abuses in the future. The BBC remains engaged, providing continued coverage and support for the victims’ fight for accountability.
