House Commission VIII Emphasises That the State Must Not Be Complacent in Protecting Children
The central government, along with regional authorities, needs to conduct sweeps and comprehensive audits of all daycares in Indonesia to ensure compliance with licensing standards and child protection requirements.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission VIII, Singgih Januratmoko, emphasised that children are a trust and the future of the nation, so the state must not be complacent in providing protection for children.
He stated that the case of violence against children at a daycare in Yogyakarta is a very distressing humanitarian tragedy and must serve as a momentum for total reform of the child care system in Indonesia.
“Daycares should be safe spaces for children’s growth and development. However, in this case, there were allegations of inhumane treatment, from neglect to physical violence that caused deep trauma to the children,” said Singgih in his statement in Jakarta on Sunday.
He assessed that this case is not merely a legal violation by individuals but reflects systemic failures in child protection. Singgih noted that there are several daycares operating without strict supervision from regional governments or relevant agencies. In fact, standard operational procedures (SOPs) for child care facilities are already available.
According to him, the fact that this daycare operated without a permit indicates weaknesses in regulatory enforcement. Additionally, parents as service users do not receive adequate access to information, whether regarding facilities, child care methods, or daily child supervision.
Singgih also highlighted discrepancies between the promised facilities—such as air-conditioned rooms, proper beds, and educational resources—and the actual conditions, indicating elements of deception towards parents as service consumers.
As Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, which handles social affairs and child protection, Singgih urged the need for firm law enforcement to prevent such cases from recurring.
“The central government, together with regional governments, needs to conduct sweeps and comprehensive audits of all daycares in Indonesia, ensuring compliance with licensing standards and child protection,” he stated.
Singgih also called for the formulation of stricter and more integrated regulations between the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, including obligations. Furthermore, there needs to be a quick and safe reporting mechanism for parents and staff in daycares, so that potential violence like that which occurred at Little Aresha can be prevented as early as possible.
“We in Commission VIII of the House of Representatives appreciate the steps taken by the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection in deploying an assistance team for the victims,” said Singgih.
Nevertheless, recovery for the victims must be more comprehensive, encompassing long-term psychological support, legal protection for the victims’ families, and social rehabilitation for the victims.