Social Affairs Ministry Prepares Psychosocial Support for Child of Man Killed by Mob Over Chicken Theft

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) is preparing psychosocial support for the child and family of a suspected chicken thief who was beaten to death by a mob in Baturiti, Tabanan Regency, Bali.

“We will provide psychosocial support and whatever assistance is needed, according to the results of the assessment,” said Gus Ipul when met after a press conference on the draft Presidential Regulation on the Governance of KDKMP Implementation, held in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Gus Ipul said a team from the Ministry of Social Affairs had already visited the family home and engaged in dialogue with the relatives of the suspected chicken thief who died in the mob attack.

However, he added, the victim’s family is still in mourning and not yet able to speak at length.

He also offered the child of the deceased the opportunity to study at a Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School).

“Because the child does indeed meet the requirements to attend a Sekolah Rakyat,” said Gus Ipul.

Nevertheless, Gus Ipul said he would wait for the mourning period to pass before reopening dialogue with the victim’s family.

“In principle, we want to provide support in accordance with the family’s needs,” he said.

The victim was allegedly caught in the act of stealing chickens belonging to a resident of Banjar Juwuk Legi. The incident triggered anger among residents who had long been unsettled by a spate of chicken thefts in the area.

The victim was then beaten by the mob until he died at the scene. The crowd also set fire to the motorcycle the victim had been riding before police officers arrived.

Investigations revealed that the burned motorcycle was suspected to be a vehicle stolen in 2018.

The Tabanan Police subsequently named five people as suspects in the case: MJ, WS, KB, ML and ND. Although the five suspects have been named, the police have yet to disclose their respective roles.