Puan Calls for Stricter Daycare Oversight to Prevent Yogyakarta Case from Recurring
JAKARTA - House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has assessed that the case of child abuse at a daycare in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) serves as a warning for the nation to improve the oversight system for child care facilities throughout Indonesia.
According to Puan, societal needs for daycare services are growing faster than the readiness of protective systems, so the state must ensure security guarantees for children in care spaces.
“This concerns a broader issue about standards for overseeing child care facilities. Are daycare facilities sufficiently following changes in societal needs,” Puan stated in her official remarks on Monday (27/4/2026).
Puan believes that parents’ trust in daycares must be met with safe and proper environments for children’s growth and development.
“Of course, the alleged abuse case at the Yogyakarta daycare is concerning. We hope this case is thoroughly investigated, and relevant agencies provide protection for the child victims,” Puan said.
“When parents entrust their children to a daycare, they are handing over not just care time, but full trust that the child is in a humane, safe, and proper environment,” she added.
“We urge workplaces to provide proper daycares for employees, especially working mothers. This is mandated by the Child Protection Law. The government also needs to ensure every workplace complies with these regulations,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Deputy House Speaker Sari Yuliati emphasised the importance of law enforcement in the case.
She called on law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the matter professionally, transparently, and accountably.
Sari also urged the government to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the licensing system, operational standards, and oversight mechanisms for daycares across Indonesia to prevent similar cases from recurring.
“This incident must become a momentum for improving the child protection system, especially in care facilities. The state must ensure every child receives a safe, proper environment that supports their growth and development,” she said.
Police then raided the daycare on Friday (24/4). To date, at least 53 children are indicated to have experienced abuse out of 103 entrusted children.
The child abuse is suspected to have occurred since the daycare operated for one year.
Now, the DIY Provincial Police have named 13 people as suspects and immediately detained them.
The suspects consist of various elements in the institution, from leadership to field staff.