Legislator Condemns Alleged Child Prostitution in Lokasari

DPRD DKI Jakarta member Hardiyanto Kenneth condemned alleged child prostitution in Lokasari, West Jakarta, calling it a heinous crime against humanity. ‘There should be no tolerance whatsoever for perpetrators, pimps, intermediaries, or those who allow this practice to continue,’ Kenneth said in Jakarta on Tuesday. Kenneth stressed that if the allegations are proven true, all involved parties must be punished severely without exception. He called on Polda Metro Jaya, Jakarta Barat Metro Police, and the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to swiftly investigate the case to dismantle the child prostitution network at its roots. He said law enforcement should not stop at street-level perpetrators but must also investigate possible sponsors, cover-ups, and officials who have turned a blind eye to the illegal activities. ‘The public has the right to question whether current monitoring has been effective. There must be no cover-ups or corrupt officials. Everything must be exposed and dealt with firmly,’ he said. Kenneth also highlighted the need to protect child sexual exploitation victims, stressing that child victims of prostitution should not be judged but rescued and rehabilitated. He urged a comprehensive review of nightlife areas and high-risk prostitution zones in Jakarta, particularly Tamansari. He requested authorities strengthen cyber patrols, as child prostitution and sex trafficking often occur through apps, social media, and private digital networks. ‘I demand that accounts, groups, and platforms facilitating child sex trafficking be strictly penalised. Jakarta must not be a safe haven for sexual predators and human trafficking syndicates,’ Kenneth said. He called on religious leaders, community figures, schools, parents, and local communities to strengthen social surveillance of children. Kenneth stated the case must serve as a major wake-up call for all parties to ensure the state takes concrete action. ‘Jakarta must be a safe city for children to grow and dream, not a comfortable place for child sexual predators. Whoever is involved must be punished to the fullest extent of the law,’ he said. Previously, the West Jakarta City Government’s Sub-District Office for Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control (PPAPP) and Social Affairs Sub-District Office highlighted allegations of child prostitution in Lokasari, Tamansari. Acting Head of West Jakarta PPAPP, Rizky Hamid, said they are investigating reports of child exploitation and prostitution, including those circulating on social media regarding Lokasari. ‘Protection of women and children is a shared responsibility requiring cross-sectoral synergy, from government, law enforcement, communities, families, to digital platforms,’ Hamid said.