Dozens of Students Caught Skipping School in Satpol PP Raid

The Sidoarjo Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) carried out a student raid at a number of coffee shops and cafes in the city centre of Sidoarjo, East Java. The raid was conducted during school hours on Thursday (20/8).

During the operation, more than a dozen Satpol PP officers swept hangout spots suspected of being frequently used as locations for truancy. Officers found more than a dozen students still wearing school uniforms sitting casually while lessons were in progress.

The students caught in the raid were approached by officers. After a brief interrogation at the scene, they were immediately taken using operational vehicles to the Sidoarjo Satpol PP headquarters for data collection and coaching.

Acting Head of the Public Order and Tranquility Division of Sidoarjo Satpol PP, R Novianto Koesno Adiputro, stated that the operation was deliberately intensified to prevent students from wandering in crowded places during school hours.

“We are carrying out activities to track down truant students in order to provide a deterrent effect and foster a sense of discipline among students,” said Novianto.

As an initial stage, Novianto said, the students caught were asked to make an official written statement promising not to repeat their actions. Officers then summoned the parents of each student for the repatriation process.

The students caught in the raid were sent back to their homes. Sidoarjo Satpol PP emphasised that severe sanctions await these students. If they are caught truant again in the future, officers will not hesitate to send them directly to the Sidoarjo Social Pondok (Liponsos) for further rehabilitation.