Video of Domestic Worker Abuse in Sunter Occurred in 2023, Victim Did Not Report
JAKARTA – Police confirmed that a video showing alleged abuse of a domestic worker in the Sunter area of Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, which recently went viral on social media, is an old incident.
The Head of Public Relations at North Jakarta Metro Police, Iptu Maryati Jonggi, stated that the incident involved a suspect with initials HW (42) and victim SY (57). Police indicated the incident occurred in February 2023, approximately three years ago.
“The incident took place three years ago, around February 2023, when the suspect was cleaning a prayer space in their home,” Jonggi said when confirmed by Kompas.com on Monday (2 March 2026).
“The victim deliberately soiled the prayer space. The victim intentionally placed bamboo in the prayer space ahead of Chinese New Year,” she explained.
As a result of what was described as a misunderstanding, the suspect allegedly punched and kicked the victim’s back. “After the suspect realised what they had done, they immediately apologised to the victim, and the victim forgave the suspect. They reconciled not long after the incident,” Jonggi stated.
Jonggi added that the victim was unwilling to file a police report and continues to work at the suspect’s home. “The victim did not want to file a report because they continue to work at the suspect’s home,” she said.
Police conducted clarification with both the victim and suspect. The case is now being handled by the Women and Children’s Service Unit (PPA) and the Criminal Investigation Division (PPO) of North Jakarta Metro Police.
The video shows multiple incidents of violence. In the first clip, a person in white clothing punches a domestic worker wearing a red striped shirt. The person then holds a grey object on a table whilst pointing at the victim. Another person in yellow clothing slaps the victim, followed by the person in white pulling the victim’s hair.
In the second clip, the victim receives two kicks to the lower back from a man in green clothing with tattoos on his leg. In the third clip, the victim is struck with a sandal until they fall, then kicked by a person in white clothing.
Police confirmed the video is from an old incident. Nevertheless, police are continuing their investigation to ensure proper case handling, including victim support.