Kupang DPRD Member Faces Six-Month Jail Demand in Wife and Child Neglect Case

A member of the Kupang City DPRD in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Mokrianus Imanuel Lay, has been demanded a six-month prison sentence by the public prosecutor (JPU) of the Kupang District Prosecutor’s Office. The trial took place at the Class 1A Court in Kupang on Tuesday (14/4/2026). The session was chaired by Chief Judge Harlina Rayes along with two other panel members, Olyviarin Rosalinda Taopan and Sisera Semida Naomi Nenohayfeto. Prosecutor Syamsul stated that the Hanura Party politician was legally and convincingly proven to have committed the criminal act of neglecting his wife and two children. Therefore, the defendant is demanded a six-month prison sentence, minus the time already served in detention. “The defendant is demanded a six-month prison sentence because he has been proven to have committed the criminal act of neglecting his wife and child,” said the JPU in his statement on Tuesday. The JPU emphasised that Mokris Lay’s actions have been proven to fulfil the elements as regulated in Article 49 letter a in conjunction with Article 9 paragraph (1) of Law (UU) Number 23 of 2024 on the Elimination of Domestic Violence (KDRT), in conjunction with UU Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Code Adjustments. For this act, the JPU demands that the panel of judges impose a six-month prison sentence on Mokris, minus the detention period already served. Additionally, Mokris is burdened with paying court costs of Rp 5,000. “The next trial session will be held on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, with the agenda of reading the defendant’s plea,” said the JPU. Meanwhile, the head of Mokris Lay’s legal team, Rian Kapitan, assessed the prosecutor’s demand as half-hearted. Because, based on the trial facts, Mokris should be demanded to be acquitted. “So, a six-month prison demand was simply chosen so that law enforcement does not lose face. As the team leader, I do not accept our client being punished even for a minute because it is clear from the trial facts that Mokris has not been proven to have neglected his child and wife,” explained Rian. Rian emphasised that his side will immediately submit a defence that essentially demands Mokris be acquitted by the Class 1A Kupang District Court. “Tomorrow we will submit the defence and we request that Mokris be immediately acquitted by the Class 1A Kupang District Court,” concluded Rian.