District head slammed for beating Pandeglang student

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Cadasari district head in Pandeglang regency, Banten, Oya Suryadilaga, has been caught up in an ugly incident at a local elementary school, where he reportedly slapped a student.

Pandeglang Regent H. Dimyati Nata Kusumah expressed doubt that one of his top officials could have treated a child so harshly.

"Let me call him in to get to the bottom of this," he was quoted as saying by Antara on Thursday.

Lutfi told reporters at Cadasari elementary school on Wednesday that he was slapped by the district head after he had a classroom fight with Oya's son, Robi, on Saturday.

The fight reportedly began when Robi bumped into Lutfi and the two exchanged words before hitting each other. The fight ended with Robi running from the classroom in tears.

Robi ran home and told his father about the fight. Oya became furious and rushed to the school to "teach" Lutfi a lesson.

According to witnesses, when Oya arrived at the school he went directly to his son's classroom and called Lutfi's name.

According to Lutfi, it was still recess when Robi's father showed up, looking very upset.

A number of teachers and students who were taking a break at the time could do little more than watch in disbelief as the official grabbed Lutfi by the hair and slapped him on both sides of his face.

"I wet my pants I was so terrified," Lutfi said.

After slapping Lutfi, Oya reportedly returned home without talking to any of the teachers.

"We feel his (Oya's) behavior was very disrespectful. Just because he is a district head, he thinks he can act anyway he wants. As a civil servant, he should set an example to the public," said a teacher who asked not to be identified.

Another teacher said the incident between Lutfi and Robi was a normal schoolboy problem and could have been handled by teachers.

"Such a violent response should not have been resorted to by any educated person, let alone a district head," the teacher said.

Oya admitted that he slapped Lutfi, saying he was overemotional at the time.

"I made a mistake. Robi is the apple of my family's eye," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

The district head asked the media not to overblow the incident, saying he had already explained the situation to the teachers.

"I have asked the teachers to be more attentive and educate their students not to attack one another, especially physically," he said.

It is not clear whether the police are investigating the case or whether Oya will be charged with assault.