Transparent legal process demanded for Brimob officer who fatally struck child

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifah Fauzi has demanded that the legal process against Maluku Regional Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) member First Class Private (Bripda) MS, a suspect in a case of violence against a child resulting in death, be conducted transparently.

“We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness because it involves a child as the victim and occurred in the context of a security operation by law enforcement. Legal enforcement must be transparent, objective and just in order to provide legal certainty and prevent similar incidents from recurring,” said Minister Arifah Fauzi in Jakarta on Monday.

The Ministry of PPPA expressed its appreciation for the swift response by law enforcement authorities in detaining and naming Bripda MS as a suspect.

“We appreciate that law enforcement has designated the perpetrator as a suspect, and we also respect and support the ongoing legal process,” said Minister Arifah Fauzi.

For his actions, the suspect is alleged to have violated Article 76C in conjunction with Article 80 paragraph (3) of Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and/or a fine of up to Rp3 billion if found guilty of committing violence against a child resulting in death.

In addition to the criminal proceedings, the individual must undergo an ethics code examination based on National Police Regulation Number 7 of 2022 on the Professional Code of Ethics and the National Police Ethics Code Commission.

The incident began when Brimob officers were conducting a security patrol in the city of Tual. A convoy of vehicles was then spotted travelling at high speed and suspected of engaging in illegal street racing.

At the time, the victim was riding pillion with his older sibling, identified by the initial N (15), on a motorcycle. The perpetrator suspected the victim was part of the illegal racing convoy.

On the road, the perpetrator swung his tactical helmet, striking the victim’s face and causing the victim to fall from the motorcycle.

The victim was rushed to Karel Sadsuitubun Regional Hospital in Langgur for medical treatment, but tragically did not survive.