Legislator Urges Layered Charges Against Nizam's Abuser Following Fatal Child Cruelty Case

JAKARTA – Member of Commission XIII of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, hopes that Nizam Syafei’s abuser will face layered sanctions.

The application of layered charges is permissible when the perpetrator is a close relative of the victim. Under such circumstances, the sentence can be increased by up to one-third of the principal penalty.

“Our hope is that layered sanctions are applied. Not only based on the Criminal Code, but also referring to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act and the Child Protection Act,” explained Rieke Diah Pitaloka at the office of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) on Friday (27 February 2026).

“This case could also serve as an important note in the revision of the Witness and Victim Protection Act in the future, so that the handling of witnesses and victims becomes more comprehensive,” she continued.

Furthermore, Rieke mentioned that Nizam’s biological mother, Lisnawati, will hold an audience with Commission III of the House of Representatives regarding the case.

“According to the latest information, we are also grateful to the Chair of Commission III of the House of Representatives who is overseeing this case. God willing, if there are no obstacles, this case will be received in audience by Commission III of the House of Representatives next Monday,” she stated.

Previously, Nizam Syafei (12), a boy from Bojongsari, Jampang Kulon, Sukabumi District, died on 19 February 2026 at Jampangkulon General Hospital. When brought to the hospital, the victim’s body was covered in contusions and blisters resembling burn wounds.

He claimed he was forced to drink hot water by his stepmother. An autopsy refuted the perpetrator’s claim that the victim had leukaemia. Evidence revealed blunt force trauma and serious burn injuries to the victim’s internal and external organs. The Sukabumi Police have designated the victim’s stepmother with initials TR (46) as the main suspect.

TR is a civil servant in the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The initial suspected motive for the violence is accumulated hatred or resentment towards the victim.

The case has drawn scrutiny as evidence suggests Nizam’s abuse had been ongoing for a considerable time. The victim is suspected to have been tortured frequently since 2023. On 4 November 2024, there was actually a report of violence against Nizam.

Lisnawati, who had long separated from Nizam’s father, has now filed a police report against her ex-husband, Nizam’s biological father.