DPR Leader Urges Public to Be Selective in Choosing Daycare

Deputy Speaker of the DPR Sari Yuliati has urged the public, particularly parents, to be selective in choosing daycares. The statement responds to the alleged violence against dozens of children at Daycare Little Aresha in Yogyakarta City. She also stated that parents must play an active role in supervising childcare services. Sari urged the public to immediately report to security authorities if they find indications of violations at daycares. “This incident must become a momentum for improving the child protection system, especially in childcare facilities,” she said in a written statement on Monday, 27 April 2026. This Golkar Party politician said the government needs to ensure every child receives a safe and proper environment to support their growth and development. According to her, the government must comprehensively evaluate the licensing system, operational standards, and oversight mechanisms for all daycares in Indonesia. “Strengthening regulations is an important step to prevent similar cases from recurring in the future,” she said. The DPR, she added, is committed to following up on child protection issues following the alleged abuse case at Daycare Little Aresha. “We demand that the legal process runs professionally and imposes firm sanctions. There must be no tolerance,” said Sari. Yogyakarta Police have named 13 suspects, consisting of one foundation head, one school principal, and eleven caregivers. Yogyakarta Police Chief, Commissioner General Eva Guna Pandia, explained that the suspects are charged under the child protection law for alleged neglect and discriminatory mistreatment. “There are 53 toddlers under the age of two who have been verified to have experienced physical violence, including inhumane acts such as tying hands and feet, which were witnessed directly by officers during the raid,” she said. Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo stated that the Little Aresha daycare was operating illegally. “Without TPA (childcare facility), PAUD, or kindergarten permits,” he said. Hasto emphasised that the lack of permits allowed the government to be caught off guard in verifying childcare operational standards, kitchen, and sanitation facilities. As a follow-up, the Yogyakarta City Government will immediately conduct a mass sweeping of all childcare institutions to ensure the safety and legality of services provided to the public.