Monk, Caretaker Arrested in Temple Child Sex Abuse Scandal

A Buddhist monk and a temple caretaker have been arrested by Batam Police after an investigation into the abuse of five children at a temple.

Police made the arrest after community reports that a monk known as Yo Chi Su had fled to West Jakarta. He moved again shortly afterwards before being arrested in a Sunter, North Jakarta, hotel on Wednesday, August 30.

“There was some resistance, but it was handled swiftly by the officers,” Balerang Batam Police Crime Investigation Unit Head Commr. Agung Bima told Detik.

Police also arrested the temple caretaker, identified as BGS, in Batam.

Both face charges of exploiting and sexually abusing five children. Investigations will continue in Batam, with the monk to be flown back.

An investigation was launched after members of the Batam community began to hear rumours the monk had been sexually abusing a young girl at the temple.

While rescuing the girl, four other children were found in the temple and are believed to have also been sexually abused and forced to work.

Police sources said two of the girls originally hailed from Jakarta, where they report they were initially abused by the monk, before being taken to Batam.

Investigations continue.