Police: Chairperson of Aresha Daycare Foundation Used Names of Judge and UGM Lecturer Without Permission

The Yogyakarta City Police Chief, Kombes Pol Eva Guna Pandia, stated that the names of Rafid Ihsan Lubis (RIL), currently a judge at the Tais District Court in Bengkulu, and Cahyanintrum Dewojati, a lecturer at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), were misappropriated in the management structure of Little Aresha Daycare. Pandia emphasised that this information was obtained following an initial investigation into the foundation’s chairperson, identified by the initials DK.

Previously, promotional posters circulated showing Rafid listed as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Aresha Indonesia Centre Foundation, while Cahyaningrum was listed as an advisor. “During the initial examination, the foundation chairperson stated that their names were merely used for the organisational structure,” Pandia said at the Yogyakarta Police Headquarters on Monday (18/5).

Nevertheless, Pandia noted that police investigators will cross-check this claim by examining DK’s banking activities to identify any potential fund transfers to Rafid or Cahyaningrum. The police have also scheduled examinations for both Rafid and Cahyaningrum. “We will check the bank statements to see if there are any fund flows. However, we will proceed with the examinations regardless,” added Pandia. He further noted that if no transactions are found, it would suggest the names were used simply due to personal acquaintances.

Yogyakarta Police previously mentioned that the Supervisory Body (Bawas) of the Supreme Court is directly monitoring the investigation into suspects accused of child abuse and neglect at Little Aresha Daycare. The Supreme Court’s involvement stems from the alleged inclusion of an active judge, RIL, in the daycare’s management structure.

In response to the allegations, the Tais District Court stated that Rafid denies any active involvement in the management of the Little Aresha Daycare Foundation in Yogyakarta. Meanwhile, UGM has confirmed that Cahyaningrum Dewojati is an active lecturer at the university and clarified that the institution has no relationship whatsoever with the Aresha Indonesia Centre Foundation.