Nizam Death Case in Sukabumi: Parliament Demands End to Restorative Justice for Child Violence Perpetrators
A member of Commission III of the Indonesian Parliament, Soedeson Tandra, has issued a formal statement regarding the handling of the tragic death of a child from Sukabumi, Nizam Syafei, emphasising that cases of child violence must not be resolved through Restorative Justice (RJ) mechanisms or out-of-court settlements.
The statement was made during a General Hearing Session (RDPU) of Commission III with the Sukabumi District Police Chief and the victim’s family at the Nusantara I Building in Senayan on Monday, 2 March 2026.
“If there is violence against a child, please do not employ Restorative Justice. Such crimes tend to be repeated. If the perpetrator is released through a peaceful settlement, the potential for violence will recur until lives are lost. This must be a serious lesson,” said Soedeson, a politician from the Golkar Party faction.
Soedeson believes that one factor contributing to the violence that claimed Nizam’s life was the failure to legally process previous violence reports. He has warned police investigators not to be satisfied with the suspect’s confession alone.
He has urged the police to immediately conduct autopsies to find strong material evidence regarding the precise cause of death. “The cause of death is vital and must be determined through autopsy. Investigators must not be satisfied with confessions alone. The police must act professionally in reconstructing the events to achieve justice for the deceased,” he stated.
Furthermore, Soedeson emphasised the importance of accurate legal construction in this case. He has encouraged investigators to consider applying provisions on continuous criminal conduct, which would allow sentencing to be increased by up to one-third of the maximum penalty. This step is considered necessary to provide a deterrent effect and a sense of justice for the victim’s family who have suffered tragic loss.
“We will continue to oversee this case until its completion. Child protection is a legal priority that cannot be compromised in the name of out-of-court settlements,” Soedeson concluded.
Previously, Nizam Syafei died from burns covering his entire body, allegedly caused by abuse from his stepmother with initials TR (46). Nizam died at Jampangkulon Regional Hospital on Thursday, 19 February. Shortly afterwards, a video circulated online showing the final moments of the child before his death. The video showed severe bruising on the child’s face, particularly around both eyes which appeared dark blue. Additionally, there was a fairly large open wound on the thigh resembling a burn or scalding injury.
The Sukabumi Police Criminal Investigation Unit subsequently designated TR as a suspect on suspicion of physical and psychological violence.
Sukabumi Police Chief AKBP Samian confirmed that the suspect designation was made after investigators examined the case of Nizam’s death. “Regarding the child’s death as a result of violence at Sukabumi Police, the Criminal Investigation Unit has designated a suspect, namely TR, who is the stepmother. We have designated TR as a suspect on suspicion of violence, both physical and psychological,” Samian said at Sukabumi Police Headquarters on Wednesday, 25 February.
A shocking fact emerged from the investigation: the abuse by TR allegedly had been ongoing for years. Samian stated that the victim Nizam had experienced abuse since 2023. Even in November 2024, there was a police report, but it ended in an out-of-court settlement.