KPAI Urges Child Care Bill to Be Passed Urgently

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has emphasised the importance of passing the Child Care Bill to prevent and address cases of violence against children.

“Indonesia urgently needs a strong policy framework, namely the Child Care Bill, to prevent cases of violence against children, including the ‘sarong war’ incidents that occur frequently during Ramadan,” said KPAI Vice Chairman Jasra Putra when contacted in Jakarta on Monday.

He stated that “sarong war” is merely the tip of the iceberg of unresolved societal problems.

“Sarong war is simply a migration of tools from conventional gang violence, which in Ramadan changes its implements to sarongs,” said Jasra Putra.

KPAI has identified numerous social problems underlying the “sarong war” phenomenon.

“Are we aware that behind the children taking to the streets lies the reality of broken families, economic vulnerability in the bottom two income deciles, and a high number of out-of-school children?” asked Jasra Putra.

Additionally, there are mental health issues, children left unattended or neglected despite having families, and minimal response to child violence in certain regions.

To that end, according to him, to unravel the complex problems behind “sarong war”, Indonesia needs the Child Care Bill.

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 engaged in “sarong war”.

In Ponorogo, police conducted a raid in the Ponorogo town square area to prevent “sarong war” and illegal racing.

Then in Bantul, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Monday, police conducted dawn patrols to prevent “sarong war” and fireworks incidents.