Jakarta Councillor Kenneth: No Place for Bullies in the Capital
Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) member from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Hardiyanto Kenneth, has stressed that there must be no room for bullying in DKI Jakarta. A city aspiring to become a global metropolis and the centre of Indonesian civilisation must be able to guarantee the safety and comfort of all children from various forms of violence, whether in the school environment, public spaces, social circles, or on social media.
According to Kenneth, bullying can no longer be considered mere juvenile delinquency or casual banter between friends. Such actions constitute a form of violence that has serious impacts on victims, ranging from loss of security, decreased self-confidence, and mental health disorders, to potentially threatening their lives.
“Bullying is an act that cannot be tolerated in any form. Children must grow up in a safe and healthy environment. They have the right to protection from all forms of intimidation, physical violence, verbal abuse, social exclusion, and cyberbullying,” Kenneth asserted in a statement on Wednesday (17/6/2026).
The man familiarly known as Bang Kent assessed that the current bullying phenomenon is increasingly worrying due to its diverse forms. Beyond physical violence, many cases occur through verbal abuse, extortion, seniority-based intimidation, and cyberbullying, which spreads far more widely and is difficult to control.
“Many victims choose to remain silent out of fear, shame, or worry about facing greater pressure. As a result, bullying cases are often only discovered after causing deep trauma. This situation must not be allowed to continue,” he said.
As a public representative, Kent stressed that child protection must be a shared responsibility of all parties, from the regional government, schools, and families to law enforcement officials, community organisations, and the surrounding environment.
He also noted that the public needs to understand that bullying carries clear legal consequences. If the bullying involves physical violence, assault, threats, coercion, or results in injury and trauma to the victim, the perpetrator can be prosecuted under applicable legal provisions.
“There should be no assumption that bullying is normal. If it meets criminal elements, there are certainly legal consequences that must be accounted for. Even in cases involving children as perpetrators, the Juvenile Criminal Justice System mechanism can still be applied, prioritising guidance while providing a deterrent effect,” said the member of DPRD DKI Jakarta’s Commission C.
He also assessed that the issue of bullying is not solely about the perpetrator. Contributing environmental factors include weak parental supervision, poor character education, misguided seniority culture, a lack of social empathy, and suboptimal reporting and victim support systems.
Therefore, Kent urged the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to strengthen comprehensive bullying prevention and handling policies. Necessary steps include reinforcing character education and digital literacy in schools, ensuring safe and victim-oriented reporting mechanisms, expanding psychological counselling services, increasing supervision in child-friendly public spaces, and imposing strict sanctions on those who allow bullying to occur.
Furthermore, Kent called on parents to be more active in monitoring their children’s development and psychological condition. He believes many bullying cases can be prevented if changes in a child’s behaviour are detected early.
“Parents must be present in their children’s lives. Pay attention to changes in their attitude, emotions, academic performance, and social circles. Do not let a child become a victim or even a perpetrator of bullying without the family knowing,” said the Chairman of IKAL PPRA Batch LXII.
He emphasised that DKI Jakarta must not only advance in terms of physical development but must also become a city that upholds human values and child protection.
“We cannot wait for the next victim. No child should feel afraid to go to school, play in the park, or interact with their friends because of the threat of bullying. Every child in Jakarta must feel safe, valued, and protected,” he stated.
Kenneth called on all elements of society to jointly combat the culture of bullying in the capital.
“Whoever the perpetrator, whatever the reason, and wherever it occurs, bullying must be fought together. There is zero tolerance for violence against children. Jakarta must become a Child-Friendly City, not a city that gives space to bullying,” he concluded.