KPAI: "Sarong wars" tip of iceberg in child play space crisis

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has characterised the phenomenon of “sarong wars” (perang sarung) during Ramadan as the tip of an iceberg stemming from a crisis in play spaces, weak supervision, and the failure of communities to facilitate the rights of children.

“The phenomenon of ‘sarong wars’, which is rampant and has even claimed lives and caused head injuries, is not merely typical adolescent mischief. This is an emergency signal from a crisis in play spaces, weak supervision, and the failure of communities to facilitate the energy of our children,” said KPAI Deputy Chair Jasra Putra in an interview in Jakarta on Monday.

According to him, “sarong wars” typically occur in densely populated neighbourhoods.

“When wide tracts of land have been converted into factories or car parks, children’s space for movement becomes extremely limited. As a result, when Ramadan arrives and children have a reason to leave their homes at night, they rush to find the widest possible space to express themselves,” said Jasra Putra.

Previously, police thwarted a “sarong war” incident in Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday (28 February) by securing 16 children.

Meanwhile, in Garut Regency, West Java, on Sunday (1 March), police forcibly dispersed a group of people engaged in “sarong wars”.

In Ponorogo, East Java, police conducted raids in the Alun-Alun Ponorogo area to prevent “sarong wars” and illegal street racing.