Singgih Januratmoko, Deputy Chair of Commission VIII of the\nIndonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), has condemned the depraved\nactions of a 60-year-old man with the initials MD, who is suspected of\nmolesting 32 primary school pupils in Makassar, South Sulawesi. He\ndescribed the case as an extraordinary crime, saying the perpetrator\nmust be dealt with firmly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI strongly condemn the suspected molestation of dozens of primary\nschool children in Makassar. This is an utterly heinous crime that\ncannot be tolerated in any form. Children who should feel safe in their\nschool environment have instead become victims of actions that gravely\ndamage their future,\u201d Singgih said in a statement on Monday\n(20\/7\/2026).<\/p>\n
Singgih urged the authorities in Makassar to intervene and provide\nmaximum protection for the child victims. He also asked the police to\nhandle the case professionally and transparently, and to impose the\nseverest possible punishment should the perpetrator be proven\nguilty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI support firm legal proceedings and the maximum punishment in\naccordance with prevailing laws and regulations. A punishment with a\nstrong deterrent effect is essential so that no other perpetrator dares\ncommit similar crimes against children,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
Singgih asked that all victims receive psychological assistance,\nsocial rehabilitation, and comprehensive legal and identity protection.\nIn his view, the victims\u2019 recovery must be the primary concern, as the\nimpact of sexual violence against children can last over the long\nterm.<\/p>\n
\u201cHandling a case like this cannot stop at arresting and punishing the\nperpetrator. The Government, through the relevant ministries and\nagencies, must ensure all victims receive psychological assistance,\nrehabilitation, and protection so they can recover and continue their\neducation and social lives well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In addition, Singgih pushed for an evaluation of the child protection\nsystem in schools and communities. He argued that stronger supervision\nof school surroundings is needed, including places where children\nfrequently gather.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis case is a reminder that child protection is a shared\nresponsibility. Parents, schools, communities, regional governments, and\nlaw enforcement must strengthen their synergy so that every space\nchildren access is truly safe from all forms of violence and\nexploitation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He assured that Commission VIII of the DPR RI would continue to pay\nattention to efforts to strengthen the child protection system to\nprevent similar incidents from recurring.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery Indonesian child has the right to grow up in a safe,\ndignified, and protected environment. The state must not lose to\nperpetrators of sexual violence against children. They must be held\naccountable for their actions before the law,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
As is known, the grandfather with the initials MD is suspected of\nmolesting 32 primary school pupils in Makassar. The perpetrator\nallegedly committed the abuse while the victims were shopping at his\nshop.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reported perpetrator is the owner of a stall in front of the\nschool. He is around 60 years old,\u201d said Fony Ataul, a victim\naccompaniment officer from the Makassar City Government\u2019s Women and\nChild Protection Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD PPA), as reported\nby detikSulsel on Sunday (19\/7).<\/p>\n
The case came to light based on reports from the victims\u2019 parents,\nwith the incidents occurring in Manggala District in June 2026. The\nperpetrator was initially reported to have molested three victims, but\nthe number later grew to a suspected 32 following a meeting between the\nMakassar City UPTD PPA, pupils\u2019 parents, and teachers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that first meeting, there were only three pupils suspected to be\nvictims. After data collection and assistance were carried out, the\nnumber grew to 32 pupils,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Fony said the alleged indecent acts were committed while the pupils\nwere buying snacks at the suspect\u2019s stall. The victims were allegedly\nmolested while shopping during break times, when about to go home from\nschool, or before entering class.<\/p>\n
Head of the Women and Child Protection Unit of the Makassar\nMetropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Division, Inspector Ariyanto,\nrevealed that his unit had received police reports concerning the\nalleged molestation. The perpetrator has now been detained after being\nnamed a suspect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThree more police reports have since been filed. The perpetrator has\nalso been detained since Friday (17\/7),\u201d Ariyanto said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-deputy-speaker-condemns-atrocious-abuse-of-32-primary-school-students-in-makassar-1784512325", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }