Deputy Speaker of MPR Emphasises Consistent Protection of Disability Rights

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) RI Lestari Moerdijat has affirmed that the state bears full responsibility for protecting the rights of every citizen, including persons with disabilities. This must be realised consistently with the support of all relevant parties.

“The fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities in all aspects of social life must be carried out with full commitment, because the law and constitution have already mandated this,” she stated in a written statement on Monday, 2 March 2026.

Last weekend, the Perhimpunan Jiwa Sehat (Mental Health Association) revealed allegations of confinement of nearly 20,000 individuals with mental disabilities in social care facilities across Indonesia. This practice occurs frequently in non-governmental or private facilities scattered across various regions.

According to Rerie, the familiar name for Lestari, the findings must be followed up immediately with concrete action by all relevant parties. She emphasised that this swift action is not only to protect persons with disabilities from violence, but also represents a constitutional mandate.

Furthermore, Rerie stated that violence against persons with disabilities constitutes a violation of human values. She encouraged stakeholders and the public to build an effective protection system so as to create a safe and comfortable ecosystem for persons with disabilities in the country.