Mother Denies Favouritism in Case of Teenager Allegedly Killing Her Sister in Kelapa Gading
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The mother of MAL (15), the teenager suspected of assaulting her older sister to death in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, has denied allegations that the tragic incident was triggered by favouritism within the family.
She affirmed that the incident was rooted in domestic issues and miscommunication.
Nurul Arifah, the mother of MAL and the deceased MAR (21), stated that their family had been facing problems since she separated from her children’s father about a year ago.
“This child has not had a father figure. Her access has been blocked, she hasn’t been able to meet him. So she is angry with her father. Her emotions are more easily triggered,” she said when met by Kompas.com on Thursday (February 26, 2026).
According to Nurul, since these family problems began, MAL often expressed her emotions when minor problems arose at home, both towards herself and towards her sister.
She said that on the day of the incident, miscommunication led to a fatal outcome. She said the incident happened very quickly, and she didn’t have time to intervene.
“She admitted that she made a mistake, that she was not aware. It happened very quickly,” she said.
Responding to allegations of favouritism, Nurul affirmed that she actually spent more time with MAL because of her health condition. MAL is said to have a history of gastritis and H. pylori infection, so she had to undergo treatment at several hospitals in Jakarta.
“I spend my days with my younger child because she is sick. Her older sister is in college, busy with activities and organizations. She rarely comes home, I just give her money according to her college needs,” she said.
MAR, who is in college, needs more money for education and transportation, while MAL is still in junior high school. However, she said she had prepared a special savings account for MAL.
“I treat both of them fairly. It is not true that I favour one over the other. My children are both good,” she said.
Previously, it was reported that a 15-year-old teenager was suspected of assaulting her older sister to death in the Kelapa Gading area, North Jakarta, on Tuesday (February 24, 2026).
The Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (PPA) of the North Jakarta Metro Police, Commissioner Ni Luh Sri Artini, stated that the incident was classified as domestic violence (KDRT), because the perpetrator and victim were siblings living in the same house.
“This is actually KDRT, KDRT because they are siblings living in the same house. Physical violence in the household that results in death. That is Article 44 paragraph 3 of the Law on PKDRT,” said Sri.
The police have examined at least seven witnesses, including local residents and doctors who helped take the victim to the hospital. Currently, the legal process has been upgraded from the investigation stage to the investigation stage.
“And this is just a plan for us to upgrade the status from child witness to child in conflict with the law,” said Sri.
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