Child Abuse at Daycare, DPR Member: Fix the System, Don't Wait for the Next Tragedy

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - DPR member and Chair of the NasDem Party’s Women’s and Children’s Division, Amelia Anggraini, stated that the case of child abuse at Little Aresha Daycare in Yogyakarta reveals fundamental problems in the governance of child care in Indonesia. Amelia views this not merely as individual negligence, but as a systemic failure involving regulations, supervision, and competency standards. “This case must serve as a national momentum to reform the child protection system in Indonesia. We must not wait for the next tragedy to act,” Amelia told Kompas.com on Tuesday (28/4/2026). According to her, to break this traumatic chain, central and local governments need to conduct thorough verification of operational legality, facility suitability, safety standards, and the ratio between caregivers and children. “The fact that there are daycares operating without permits and employing uncertified personnel, as highlighted by the Indonesian National Police, indicates serious gaps in the licensing and supervision system that has been in place,” she explained. “Because audits alone are not enough without being followed by standardisation and mandatory certification for all caregivers,” Amelia added. Therefore, Amelia said, the state must establish binding national standards, so that every daycare has a clear and measurable quality baseline. “Supervision must no longer be sectoral and sporadic. There must be integration across ministries, including the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and local governments, in a unified supervision system,” she stated. Furthermore, Amelia encourages the use of integrated CCTV that can be audited periodically. She believes transparency is an effective prevention tool in this context. “Not only that, the state needs to build early warning mechanisms and responsive reporting systems. Quick complaint channels like a national daycare hotline must be available and easily accessible to parents and the public,” said Amelia. Amelia then urged reforms that touch on regulatory aspects.