House Commission VIII Calls for Strengthened Early Detection Systems for Violence Following Sukabumi Case

Deputy Chairman of House Commission VIII, Singgih Januratmoko, has highlighted the case of a teenager identified as NS (12) in Sukabumi, West Java, who allegedly died as a result of abuse by his stepmother. Singgih said the incident illustrates how child protection systems must be strengthened comprehensively, starting from the neighbourhood level.

“I express my deepest condolences. This is a humanitarian tragedy. The state is obliged to ensure every Indonesian child is protected from all forms of violence, including that which occurs in their closest environment,” Singgih said on Monday (23/2/2026).

Singgih stated that violence against children constitutes a serious violation of children’s rights and humanity. He emphasised that the government needs to strengthen early warning and rapid response systems for reports of domestic violence.

In addition, he called on local governments to optimise the roles of social services agencies, community health centres, and local security apparatus in handling at-risk children. Singgih proposed that the government provide free psychological services for child victims of violence and their families across all regions.

“Awareness campaigns on children’s rights and positive parenting need to be expanded at the village and sub-district level, particularly in areas prone to domestic violence,” he said.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of a firm and transparent legal process. He urged law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the case.

Singgih also pushed for a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of child protection policies at both the central and regional levels. He said there is a need to strengthen early detection systems in schools, communities, and health facilities as measures to identify potential violence at an earlier stage.

Additionally, he highlighted the importance of educating parents on healthy child-rearing practices with a child protection perspective. He said family development programmes need to be expanded.

“We will also review and evaluate the implementation of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, so that it is more robust in preventing and sanctioning violence against children,” he said.

Previously, the death of a boy in Sukabumi, West Java, had drawn public attention. The victim, identified as NS, died after allegedly suffering abuse involving his stepmother.

The incident is still under police investigation. A number of facts have begun to emerge, from the condition of the victim when found, autopsy results, to statements from the family and the victim’s stepmother.

The case was first discovered by the victim’s biological father, Anwar Satibi (38), who was contacted by his wife to return home. At the time, he was working in the city of Sukabumi.

The autopsy conducted by the medical team from Bhayangkara Hospital Level II at the National Police Education and Training Institute in Sukabumi found burn injuries on several parts of the victim’s body.

“A 12-year-old child was found with burn injuries on the extremities, on the left leg, and there were also several injuries on the back. Burn injuries were also found on the lip and nose area, suspected to have been caused by heat,” said the Head of Bhayangkara Hospital Level II at the National Police Education and Training Institute in Sukabumi, Commissioner Carles Siagian, as reported on Saturday (21/2).