Commission XIII Member Hopes Perpetrator in NS Death Case Receives Heavy Sentence

Jakarta - A member of Commission XIII at the Indonesian House of Representatives, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, hopes that those responsible for the death of NS (12), a boy allegedly beaten by his stepmother in Sukabumi, West Java, will be charged under multiple legal provisions.

“I very much hope that in this case, more than one legal provision is applied, but our hope is for tiered sanctions,” she said after accompanying the child’s biological mother in filing a protection request with the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Rieke, the perpetrator should face charges not only under the Criminal Code (KUHP), but also under the Child Protection Law and the Domestic Violence Law.

“So it could be more than 12 years imprisonment,” said the legislator who oversees human rights matters.

Regarding the application of the new Criminal Code, Rieke stated there are several bases that could be applied to the perpetrator, such as assault resulting in death, premeditated assault resulting in death, enhanced sentencing of one-third above the initial threat because the perpetrator is the victim’s parent, and the death penalty.

“There is the concept of capital punishment, but this is the final legal recourse in the new Criminal Code,” she said.

Additionally, Rieke urged law enforcement to not view NS’s death as an isolated case. In this context, Rieke requested police to investigate not only NS’s stepmother but also look into the possibility of other perpetrators.

On Friday, Rieke accompanied NS’s biological mother, Lisna, in filing a protection request with LPSK, along with her legal team and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).

Lisna filed for protection with LPSK because she claims to have received threats after speaking out about her son’s case. Lisna is known to have reported NS’s biological father to Sukabumi Police on suspicion of child neglect.

Lisna reportedly received threats containing intimidations via text messages and phone calls. The threatening party, whose identity remains unknown, demanded that Lisna remain silent and not interfere in the case concerning her son’s death.

NS, a 12-year-old boy, died allegedly after being beaten by his stepmother in Jampang Kulon, Sukabumi Regency. The victim died with bruises and burn wounds on his body.

The victim normally lived in a boarding school. However, at the time of the incident, he was on holiday in preparation for fasting with his family.

At that time, the victim’s father, who was working in Sukabumi City, was called by his wife asking him to return home urgently, claiming the victim was seriously ill.

When the father arrived home, the victim was immediately taken to Jampang Kulon Hospital for medical treatment. However, tragically, the victim passed away at the hospital.

Sukabumi Police have named Teni Ridha Shi (47), the victim’s stepmother, as a suspect for assault.