Impact of Violence at Little Aresha Daycare: DPR Member Calls for Stricter Regulations!

DPR Commission III member Abdullah stated that the practice of daycares or childminding centres must be thoroughly and comprehensively evaluated following the case of violence against several children entrusted to a daycare in Yogyakarta.

He emphasised that there are a vast number of daycares in Indonesia, even reaching thousands that are registered. However, he assessed that not all of these practices meet the licensing standards, operational procedures, or adequate quality.

“Therefore, I propose that the regulations for establishing daycares and their SOPs be improved and significantly tightened,” said Abdullah in a statement in Jakarta on Monday, 27 April 2026.

He cited practices in countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, which are regulated very strictly. In addition, those countries also integrate daycares into the child protection and education system.

To that end, he proposed that the daycare system in Indonesia utilise a profiling or screening mechanism by parents through applications or digital platforms.

In addition, he said the state needs to maximise daycare services, including providing subsidies as a form of responsibility in fulfilling the right to a decent standard of living for toddlers and children.

Regarding this, he also condemned the act of child violence carried out at the Little Aresha daycare in Yogyakarta. According to him, such heinous actions lack humanity and violate Indonesian law.

As a legislator handling law enforcement matters, he asked the authorities to take maximum action against all parties involved, both the managers and the founders of that daycare.

“I also urge other competent agencies to optimally restore the physical and psychological trauma of the children and parents who became victims of that daycare,” he said.