Legislator Affirms Zero Tolerance for Bullying in Jakarta

A member of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD DKI) from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Hardiyanto Kenneth, has asserted that there must be no room for bullying in Jakarta, whether in schools, public spaces, social circles, or on social media. “A city that aspires to be a global city and the centre of Indonesian civilisation must be able to guarantee the safety and comfort of all children from all forms of violence,” he said on Wednesday. According to him, bullying can no longer be considered mere juvenile mischief or jokes among friends. The act is a form of violence that has serious impacts on victims, including loss of security, decreased self-confidence, mental health disorders, and even potential threats to life. “Bullying is an act that cannot be tolerated in any form,” he said. He stated that children must grow up in a safe and healthy environment and are entitled to protection from all forms of intimidation, physical violence, verbal abuse, social exclusion, and cyberbullying. He assessed that the phenomenon of bullying is increasingly worrying due to its growing variety. Beyond physical violence, many cases occur through verbal abuse, extortion, seniority-based intimidation, and cyberbullying, which spreads more widely and is difficult to control. He noted that 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 they have caused deep trauma. This situation must not be allowed to continue,” he said. Child protection must be a shared responsibility of all parties, from the regional government, schools, and families to law enforcement, community organisations, and the surrounding environment. He also emphasised that the public must understand that bullying carries clear legal consequences. If bullying involves physical violence, assault, threats, coercion, or causes injury and trauma to the victim, the perpetrator can be prosecuted under applicable laws. “There should be no assumption that bullying is normal. If it meets criminal elements, there are certainly legal consequences that must be accounted for,” he said. Even in cases involving child perpetrators, the Juvenile Justice System mechanism can still be applied, prioritising rehabilitation while providing a deterrent effect. He also assessed that the issue of bullying is not solely about the perpetrator. Environmental factors also contribute, such as weak parental supervision, lack of character education, misguided seniority culture, low social empathy, and suboptimal reporting and victim support systems. He urged the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to strengthen comprehensive bullying prevention and handling policies. Necessary steps include strengthening character education and digital literacy in schools, ensuring safe and victim-oriented reporting mechanisms, expanding psychological counselling services, enhancing supervision in child-friendly public spaces, and imposing strict sanctions on those who allow bullying to occur. Furthermore, he called on parents to be more active in monitoring their children’s development and psychological condition. 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, paying attention to changes in attitude, emotions, academic performance, and social interactions. “Don’t let a child become a victim or even a perpetrator of bullying without the family knowing,” he said. He stressed that Jakarta must not only advance in physical development but also uphold human values and child protection. “We cannot wait for the next victim. No child should be afraid to go to school, play in the park, or interact with friends because of the threat of bullying. Every child in Jakarta must feel safe, valued, and protected,” he said. He invited all elements of society to jointly combat the culture of bullying in the capital. Regardless of who the perpetrator is, 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.