Buleleng DPRD Urges Audit of All Orphanages After 7 Children Allegedly Raped and Abused
The Buleleng DPRD has spoken out regarding the alleged assault and rape of seven children at the Ganesha Sevanam Orphanage in Jagaraga Village, Sawan Subdistrict. The council is urging serious handling of the case alongside a comprehensive audit of all orphanages in Buleleng.
The case, which implicates Jro Mangku Wijaya Dangin (JMW), the owner of the foundation overseeing the orphanage, has drawn sharp scrutiny. Commission IV of the Buleleng DPRD is calling on law enforcement to investigate the matter without half-measures.
Chair of Commission IV of the Buleleng DPRD, Nyoman Sukarmen, has strongly condemned the alleged incident. He described the case as a harsh blow to Buleleng, occurring in an environment that should be a safe haven for children.
“This is deeply concerning. A figure who should be protecting them is allegedly the perpetrator,” Sukarmen said on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
According to him, orphanage managers bear full moral and legal responsibility to protect vulnerable children. He emphasised that there is no tolerance for any form of violence.
In addition, the DPRD has highlighted the weakness in oversight of child social welfare institutions. Sukarmen views this case not merely as an individual issue but as an indication of gaps in the oversight system.
“This must serve as a major evaluation. There should be no negligence. Oversight must be tightened,” he stressed.
The Buleleng DPRD is thus urging the local government and relevant agencies to immediately conduct a full audit and evaluation of all orphanages. This step is deemed essential to ensure that child protection standards are truly implemented.
Furthermore, the council is calling on law enforcement to impose the maximum punishment if the perpetrator is proven guilty, to provide a deterrent effect.
On the other hand, the DPRD has also emphasised the importance of victim recovery. Psychological support, healthcare services, and education guarantees are said to be mandatory to ensure comprehensive recovery for the victims.
“The state must be present. Children must truly be protected, not become victims,” he concluded.
It was previously reported that the owner of the Ganesha Sevanam Orphanage in Sawan Subdistrict, Buleleng, Bali, JMW, has been officially designated as a suspect. JMW is alleged to be involved in the assault and rape of seven of his wards.
Buleleng Police Chief, AKBP Ruzi Gusman, stated that the suspect designation was made after police obtained sufficient evidence from the investigation. The investigation was conducted following a report from one of the victims.
“We conducted an investigation based on the reporter’s report. From there, we gathered evidence, and once sufficient, we carried out coercive measures in the form of arresting the suspect, followed by detention,” Ruzi said on Wednesday (30/3/2026).
The number of identified victims has so far reached seven. However, it does not rule out the possibility that the number could increase with further case developments.
Separately, the suspect’s side regrets the early framing circulating regarding Jro Mangku Wijaya Dangin. Because all allegations must be proven in court.
“Currently, there is developing framing that we consider excessive and not necessarily in line with the actual events on the ground. All accusations, including the alleged rape, must be proven in court,” said Mangku Wijaya’s legal counsel, Kadek Cita Ardana Yudi, on Tuesday (31/3/2026).