Singer Piche Kota Named Suspect in Rape of High School Student in Atambua
Investigators from the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) of the Belu District Police Criminal Investigation Division have named singer PYDAJK, known as Piche Kota, as a suspect in a case of alleged rape or sexual intercourse with a minor.
In addition to Piche Kota, police have also named two other individuals as suspects: RM, known as Roni, and RS, known as Rifle.
Roni and Rifle were designated as suspects for their alleged involvement in the rape of a female high school student with the initials ACT (16).
The alleged rape occurred on Sunday, 11 January, at a hotel in Atambua, Belu, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“In handling this case, investigators have named three suspects, each with the initials RM, RS, and PK,” said Belu District Police Chief AKBP I Gede Eka Putra Astawa in a written statement received on Saturday, 21 February.
Astawa explained that the suspects were named following a case review conducted on Thursday, 19 February, at the Belu District Police headquarters in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
He stated that the designation of the three suspects was made after the elements of the criminal offence as stipulated in the relevant legislation had been fulfilled, along with the minimum evidentiary requirements under criminal procedural law.
“The suspect designation was based on a series of lawful and measured investigative steps. The case review mechanism reflects the application of the principles of prudence, objectivity, and accountability, as well as a form of internal oversight in the investigation process,” Astawa said.
Astawa explained that in this criminal case of rape or sexual intercourse with a minor involving three suspects, police investigators are applying multiple overlapping charges to prosecute all three.
“Investigators are applying Article 473 paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code as amended by Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments, or Article 81 paragraph (2) of Law Number 17 of 2016 on Child Protection, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, or Article 415 letter b of the Criminal Code carrying a maximum prison sentence of 9 years,” Astawa said.
He explained that investigators would promptly summon suspects Piche Kota and Rifle for the purposes of the investigation.
Additionally, investigators will carry out the arrest of suspect Roni, who has been uncooperative and has failed to comply with investigators’ summons without valid reason.
Piche Kota, known for reaching the Top 6 of Indonesian Idol 2025, had previously been reported for alleged sexual violence against the high school student with the initials ACT (16).
The victim allegedly suffered sexual violence at the hands of Piche Kota and two others, Roni and Rifle. The report was received by the Belu District Police on Tuesday, 13 January, under police report number LP/B/12/I/2026/SPKT/Polres Belu/Polda NTT.
In an earlier statement, Astawa explained that the alleged rape occurred on Sunday, 11 January, at approximately 4.00 pm local time at a hotel in Atambua City, Tenukik Sub-district, Kota Atambua District, Belu Regency, NTT.
He revealed that based on preliminary investigation findings, the incident began when the victim and the three reported individuals were drinking alcohol in a hotel room. When the victim was allegedly unconscious, the perpetrators reportedly carried out the rape.
Astawa assured that the Belu District Police is handling the case professionally and transparently. The legal process includes receiving the report, conducting a medical examination of the victim, interviewing witnesses, and collecting evidence.
Previously, Piche Kota’s family stated that they respect the ongoing legal process. Antonius Chen Jaga Kota, the suspect’s father, affirmed that they would follow all legal proceedings underway at the Belu District Police.
“The process is still ongoing, so we will follow it while awaiting the outcome,” Antonius said in a written message on Wednesday afternoon, 21 January.