World · East Asia & Pacific · 39 mins ago
Indonesian Lawmaker Seeks Support for Students After Alleged TNI Abuse
At least six students were reportedly intimidated and physically harmed at an Islamic boarding school in Pangandaran, West Java, in an incident involving TNI personnel.
Three students went home because they felt traumatized and afraid, according to the school’s leader.
Representatives of the TNI unit visited the school and apologized to the students and school management.
Dave Laksono, deputy head of parliament’s Commission I, called for psychological support so the students can recover and return to their studies feeling safe.
He said the incident should be handled through the military’s legal procedures, so what happened can be assessed fairly.
The TNI representative said the personnel involved would face military disciplinary action.
Laksono urged stronger personnel training to prevent similar incidents and maintain trust between the military and the public.
Indonesian lawmaker Dave Laksono called for support and psychological recovery for students affected by alleged abuse by Indonesian soldiers in Pangandaran, West Java.
Laksono said the students should be able to return to education feeling safe and urged the case to be handled through the military’s procedures.
At least six students were reported to have faced intimidation and physical violence, and three went home because they were traumatised.
A military unit representative apologised to the students and pesantren managers and said the involved personnel would face military disciplinary action.
Laksono also urged the military to review personnel training and prevent similar incidents.
- Who
- Dave Laksono, deputy chair of Commission I of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, called for support for affected students. The alleged perpetrators were Indonesian soldiers.
- What
- Students at a pesantren were reportedly subjected to intimidation and physical violence. Laksono called for support, psychological recovery and a proper process for handling the case.
- When
- Laksono made his comments on Sunday, 15 November 2026. The article says the military unit visited the pesantren on Thursday night.
- Where
- A pesantren in Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia.
- Why
- Laksono said students needed support to recover and feel safe returning to their studies, and that the case should be handled objectively.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Representatives of Infantry Battalion TP 336/Merak Sakti visited the pesantren and apologised to the students and its managers.
The pesantren leader described the reported violence and said three students had gone home because they were traumatised and afraid.
Dave Laksono called for support and psychological recovery for the affected students and urged the case to be handled through the military’s procedures.
- Reported victims
- At least six students
- Students who went home
- Three
- Location
- Pangandaran, West Java
- Military unit
- Infantry Battalion TP 336/Merak Sakti
- Lawmaker
- Dave Laksono, deputy chair of Commission I of Indonesia’s House of Representatives
What people are saying
The most important thing is that incidents like this do not happen again, the students can return to studying comfortably, and the harmonious relationship between the TNI and the community is maintained.
We apologise for the improper actions of our members toward the students. We will take firm action against the members involved. We will impose military disciplinary punishment.
There was violence against a number of innocent children. Some were crying, and three went home that night because they were traumatised and afraid.