Jakarta – The parents of alleged victims of sexual abuse by Muslim cleric Hasan Ja'far Assegaf in 2011 have expressed concerns over the police's sluggish investigation.

"This is a tragedy for us. We have moved on, but we want the police to immediately take action," a parent who declined to be named told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.

"I hope the police can move faster to save other children," he said. "If the cleric thinks that this is defamation, then report us. We are ready."

Twelve boys reported Hasan in December 2011 for alleged sexual harassment. He is alleged to have abused students since 2002, groping them and engaging in oral sex with them in what he claimed was alternative healing therapy.

The case gained attention after reports circulated on social media sites and online forums stated that the alleged abuse took place in Kampung Kandang in Jagakarsa district, South Jakarta, where Hasan had set up his own Islamic study group. The study group held sermons in public, causing traffic problems.

According to the parent, the cleric's doctrine had made the students loyal and led them to believe the man would not engage in the activities he is accused of.

The National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas PA) said the Jakarta Police had wasted too much time investigating the case, despite all the evidence collected. The group said it had sent a letter to them to remind them that they were very slow.

The head of the police's teens, children's and women's unit, Adj. Sr. Comr. Hando Wibowo, recently said the police were being "careful" in handling the case, considering that the suspect was a group leader.

Police had summoned 12 people, including the victims, their families and people in Hasan's circle, to gather more information. The Criminal Code stipulates a penalty of seven years in prison for underage sexual abuse.

One victim spoke of his anger toward Hasan, but said he and other victims were also angry at the police. "If being a cleric means we are immune from the law, then everyone would want to be one," he said, adding that the victims were planning to visit the Jakarta Police this week to check developments in the case. (JP/fzm)