November 13, 2025 | 06:48 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Commission for Child Protection (KPAI) has announced that it is preparing to file a police report against Mohammad Elham Yahya Al-Maliki, also known as Gus Elham, the Leader of the Ibadallah Majelis Taklim or Islamic study forum.
"We are coordinating with authorities, including the police," said KPAI member Dian Sasmita when contacted on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
In addition to consulting with law enforcement, KPAI has instructed the Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) in East Java to immediately provide support for the recovery of the affected children and their families.
Dian asserted that Elham's actions violated several key regulations:
- Article 28B paragraph (2) of the 1945 Indonesian Constitution, which mandates that the State recognizes the right of children to be free from all forms of violence and discrimination;
- Article 4 of Law No. 23 of 2002 on Child Protection, which ensures every child's right to live, grow, and develop, and to be protected from all forms of violence, including sexual abuse.
- Article 76E of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, which prohibits any person from committing violence, coercion, or indecent acts against children.
"KPAI needs to advocate for the expansion of the interpretation of 'indecent acts' to include actions that violate social and legal boundaries, regardless of claims of good intentions," Dian added.
KPAI also noted a potential violation of Article 4 paragraph (1) of Law No. 12 of 2022 concerning Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence (UU TPKS). The article broadly details nine types of sexual violence offenses, including non-physical sexual harassment.
Cleric’s Apology and Defense
Prior to KPAI's announcement, Elham Yahya Al-Maliki issued an apology regarding the controversial videos, which showed him kissing young girls during a religious forum and subsequently went viral on social media.
Elham released the apology via video, recorded on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in Kediri, East Java.
"I sincerely apologize to the entire society for the circulation of the video that caused a commotion. I admit that it was a mistake and my personal error," Elham stated in the video viewed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
He pledged to improve his conduct, promised not to repeat the action, and committed to propagating religious teachings in a wiser manner, in accordance with religious norms and Indonesian ethics.
During his defense, Elham explained that the viral video was an old incident and claimed that the content had already been removed from his institution's official social media accounts. Furthermore, Elham asserted that the young girls involved in physical contact were under the supervision of their parents, who regularly attended his religious gatherings.
"I need to convey that the children in the viral video are those under the supervision of their parents who regularly attend my religious teachings," he reiterated.
Dian Rahma Fika contributed to the report
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