Indonesian Idol Singer Named Suspect in Child Sexual Abuse Case in Belu
Kupang (ANTARA) — Investigators from the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) of the Belu Police Criminal Investigation Division, East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Police, have named singer and former Indonesian Idol contestant Petrus Yohannes Debrito Armando Jaga Kota — known as Piche Kota — as a suspect in a child sexual abuse case in Atambua, Belu.
"The suspect designation was made because the elements of the criminal offence as stipulated in the legislation have been fulfilled, along with the minimum threshold of lawful evidence required under criminal procedural law," said Belu Police Chief Senior Commissioner I Gede Eka Putra Astawa when contacted from Kupang on Saturday afternoon.
He said the suspect designation was carried out after investigators determined that the elements of the criminal offence had been met and at least two pieces of lawful evidence had been established, as required under the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
In this case, investigators are applying Article 473 paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code as amended by Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments, or Article 81 paragraph (2) of Law Number 17 of 2016 on Child Protection, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, as well as Article 415 letter b of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of nine years.
The police chief said that in addition to Piche Kota, investigators have also named two of his associates, identified by the initials RK and RM, who are suspected of involvement in the case.
The case originated from a police report filed on 13 January 2026.
The stages of case handling were carried out in accordance with legal provisions, including the examination of witnesses and experts, as well as the collection of evidence comprising documents, physical evidence, and electronic evidence.
Additionally, the process involved coordination with public prosecutors and the conduct of a case review as the basis for the suspect designation.
The suspect designation was based on a series of lawful and measured investigative steps. The case review mechanism reflects the application of principles of prudence, objectivity, and accountability, as well as a form of internal oversight in the investigation process.
He further stated that investigators would summon suspects RS and Piche Kota for the purposes of the investigation.
Furthermore, investigators will arrest suspect RM for being uncooperative and failing to comply with investigator summonses without lawful justification.
Subsequently, investigators will promptly forward the case files to public prosecutors for review and prosecution.
The police affirmed that the handling of this case is being carried out in a professional, transparent, and accountable manner. All stages of the investigation are conducted in accordance with prevailing legislation, prioritising the protection of victims' rights whilst upholding the presumption of innocence.
"The suspect designation was made because the elements of the criminal offence as stipulated in the legislation have been fulfilled, along with the minimum threshold of lawful evidence required under criminal procedural law," said Belu Police Chief Senior Commissioner I Gede Eka Putra Astawa when contacted from Kupang on Saturday afternoon.
He said the suspect designation was carried out after investigators determined that the elements of the criminal offence had been met and at least two pieces of lawful evidence had been established, as required under the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
In this case, investigators are applying Article 473 paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code as amended by Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments, or Article 81 paragraph (2) of Law Number 17 of 2016 on Child Protection, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, as well as Article 415 letter b of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of nine years.
The police chief said that in addition to Piche Kota, investigators have also named two of his associates, identified by the initials RK and RM, who are suspected of involvement in the case.
The case originated from a police report filed on 13 January 2026.
The stages of case handling were carried out in accordance with legal provisions, including the examination of witnesses and experts, as well as the collection of evidence comprising documents, physical evidence, and electronic evidence.
Additionally, the process involved coordination with public prosecutors and the conduct of a case review as the basis for the suspect designation.
The suspect designation was based on a series of lawful and measured investigative steps. The case review mechanism reflects the application of principles of prudence, objectivity, and accountability, as well as a form of internal oversight in the investigation process.
He further stated that investigators would summon suspects RS and Piche Kota for the purposes of the investigation.
Furthermore, investigators will arrest suspect RM for being uncooperative and failing to comply with investigator summonses without lawful justification.
Subsequently, investigators will promptly forward the case files to public prosecutors for review and prosecution.
The police affirmed that the handling of this case is being carried out in a professional, transparent, and accountable manner. All stages of the investigation are conducted in accordance with prevailing legislation, prioritising the protection of victims' rights whilst upholding the presumption of innocence.