Child Protection Agency Demands United Front from Regional Government and Police on Child Marriage in Lombok
The Child Protection Agency (LPA) of Mataram City is demanding that the regional government (pemda) and police work in unison to handle cases of child marriage, including the case of child marriage involving young people from Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), which went viral on social media.
“We have received information regarding child marriage in Central Lombok and have already coordinated with the regional police headquarters,” said Joko Jumadi, head of the Mataram City LPA, when confirmed by detikBali on Monday (9/3/2026).
Based on data compiled by the Mataram LPA, the child bride who went viral on social media came from Pengengat, Pujut, Central Lombok. The young groom, aged 16 years old from Tumpak Village, is known to have dropped out of school.
“Meanwhile, the bride is 13 years old, a first-year secondary school student from Mekarsari Village, Central Lombok,” explained Joko.
Joko expressed frustration at the proliferation of child marriage cases going viral in Lombok. He noted that legal proceedings related to similar cases that occurred previously did not continue, resulting in no deterrent effect.
“Looking at previous cases, we have reported cases like this, but they were not prosecuted. The LPA, regional government, and police should work under one roof,” he added.
Joko identified Central Lombok as the area with the highest number of child marriage cases in NTB, evidenced by rising adolescent pregnancy rates in the region.
“We do not see determination from the regional government regarding child marriage cases. At minimum, one case—one of these viral cases—should be prosecuted so it is not imitated and serves as a deterrent,” said Joko.
Previously reported, a video showing the marriage ceremony of two children still sitting in secondary school in Central Lombok went viral on social media. The marriage of the couple, referred to as ‘child brides’, triggered public attention.
The video was first uploaded to a Facebook account @Burhan on Friday (6/3). The post has been viewed approximately 189,000 times, received more than 2,000 likes, and garnered 578 comments from social media users.
In the post, the account conveyed congratulations to both newlyweds. The account also noted that the marriage contract ceremony (ijab kabul) proceeded despite heavy rainfall that had drenched the event location beforehand.
“The marriage contract ceremony of child brides like this… but praise be to God, it is valid, even though it was drenched by heavy rain like this!!!!” wrote the @Burhan account as cited by detikBali on Saturday (7/3).