Ministry for Women's Empowerment Calls for Transparent Law Enforcement in Sikka Child Murder Case

Jakarta — The Ministry for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) has urged that law enforcement in the case of sexual violence and the murder of a junior secondary school pupil in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, be conducted in a professional, transparent and accountable manner.

“Law enforcement must be conducted professionally, transparently and with accountability, so that justice for the victim can be realised. Given that the suspect is still a child, the approach to handling the case must also respect child protection principles and restorative justice as stipulated in the Child Criminal Justice System Act,” said the Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, in Jakarta on Thursday.

The ministry expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident that resulted in the victim’s death.

KemenPPPA has also assured that the victim and family members receive justice, whilst legal proceedings against the perpetrator are conducted firmly in accordance with applicable legislation.

The child in conflict with the law has been secured and designated as a suspect on 27 February 2026 by Sikka Police.

The suspect has been charged under Article 473 section (2) letter b of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code as well as Article 80 section (3) of Law Number 35 of 2014 amending Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection.

The police have also identified the involvement of the suspect’s father and grandfather, who attempted to conceal the victim’s body and assist the suspect’s escape. Both have been designated as suspects by Sikka Police since 4 March 2026 and charged under Article 278 section (1) letters b and c of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code with a maximum prison sentence of 6 years.

Additionally, under applicable legislation, the suspect may also be charged under Article 6 of Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Offences, on suspicion of committing sexual intercourse and or indecent acts against the victim, with a prison sentence of up to 12 years and or a fine of up to 300 million rupiah.

The Sexual Violence Offences Law also emphasises in Article 23 that sexual violence offences cannot be resolved outside the judicial process, and therefore must be handled through applicable legal mechanisms.