DPR Demands Thorough Investigation into Cirebon Woman's Abuse Case

A member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Selly Andriany Gantina, has strongly condemned the actions of Tegal Police Resort member Aiptu N, who is suspected of abusing a 30-year-old woman from Harjamukti, Cirebon, with the initials MAN. As a result of the abuse, the victim suffered severe physical and psychological injuries.

In addition to demanding the perpetrator be dismissed and receive the maximum sentence, Selly urged that the case be investigated thoroughly to its roots. She indicated the possible involvement of other perpetrators, particularly concerning the alleged use of methamphetamine by the suspect. "I have been closely observing the development of this case. What Aiptu N did was truly barbaric and cruel. I suspect there are other perpetrators involved, one aspect being the drug use in this case. That means there is a supplier," Selly Gantina said on Tuesday.

Previously, the Regional Police and National Police Headquarters arrested Aiptu N at his home in Kalipucang Village, Jatibarang, Brebes, Central Java, on Friday after a report was filed with the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency following strong allegations of violence. The victim, MAN, is known to be the perpetrator’s unregistered wife and had endured violence for two years.

Quoting a statement by the Speaker of the DPR RI, Puan Maharani, who asserted there is no room for perpetrators of violence against women, Selly Gantina urged that the investigation be conducted transparently, including the code of ethics trial and criminal proceedings. The legislator from the West Java VIII electoral district assessed that the perpetrator’s actions betrayed the corps of state servants. Therefore, she urged law enforcement officials to apply multiple charges.

In addition to violating the Law on the Crime of Sexual Violence and the Law on the Police, Selly believes the perpetrator must also be charged with human rights violations and under the Narcotics Law. "If we refer to Article 6c of the Sexual Violence Crime Law, the penalty is 12 years in prison with a fine of IDR 300 million. This means from the Sexual Violence Crime Law alone, he could face 12 years in prison, not to mention other legal charges," she explained.

Despite the heavy sentence awaiting the perpetrator, the former Acting Regent of Cirebon stressed that law enforcement is incomplete without recovery for the victim. She requested that the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, the Witness and Victim Protection Agency, and the National Commission on Violence Against Women immediately intervene to provide psychological assistance. She also expressed hope that this incident would serve as a lesson, noting that cases of violence involving state officials have frequently occurred in recent years.