DPR Asks National Police Chief To Be Strictly Sanctioned By Police Who Allegedly Arrested Dozens Of Children In Magelang

Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Sarifuddin Sudding, asked the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to impose strict sanctions on his subordinates who are suspected of being involved in cases of alleged wrongful arrests and violence against dozens of minors at the Magelang City Police, Central Java.

According to Sudding, this case is a strong warning that cultural reforms within the police have not been completed.

He also urged the National Police Chief to deploy the National Police Propam and the General Supervision Inspectorate (Itwasum) to conduct a comprehensive investigation openly and independently.

"If it is proven that there is a violation of ethics or crime, then the members involved must be given strict sanctions indiscriminately," said Sudding, Wednesday, October 15.

"Accountability and transparency are an absolute requirement so that public trust in the Police does not collapse," he continued.

Sudding also highlighted the facts revealed by the Yogyakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH), which shows the practice of physical violence, intimidation, and coercion of recognition of children who are not even involved in demonstrations.

"If it is true, then this is not just an ethical or procedural issue, but a serious violation of the law and humanity," said Sudding.

It was reported that dozens of minors were suspected of being victims of wrongful arrests and were forced to take part in a demonstration that led to chaos at the Magelang City Police, Central Java on Thursday, October 29.

They claimed to have been subjected to physical violence throughout the interrogation process by officers. The parents of some of the children are now asking for assistance to LBH Yogyakarta.

Sudding then reminded the state to guarantee child protection in the constitution and Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection. In every legal action involving children, he said that the principles of non-violence, fair process, and restorative justice should be the main reference.

"The incident in Magelang shows a weak internal supervision and failure to apply the principle of proportionality in the use of force by the apparatus," said Sudding.

"The arrests were carried out without a clear basis of evidence, accompanied by physical and psychological violence, showing the practice of 'original arrests' that cannot be tolerated in a state of law," he continued.

Sudding also asked Komnas HAM and KPAI to participate in overseeing this case through external investigations to ensure the restoration of children's rights, both medically, psychologically, and socially. He emphasized that the state has a moral and legal responsibility to restore trauma and remove stigma for children who are victims.

"Commission III of the DPR will also use its supervisory function to summon related parties, including the Central Java Police Chief, the Magelang City Police Chief, as well as representatives of LBH Yogyakarta and KPAI, to obtain a thorough explanation and ensure that improvement steps are carried out systemically," said Sudding.

This member of the House of Representatives Law Commission emphasized that the National Police must prove that they are not only law enforcement institutions, but also human dignity guards. According to Sudding, power without ethical control and empathy will create new injustices.

"Police reform must not stop at changing uniforms and slogans, but must touch the way of thinking and acting in the field," he said.

"The justice for Magelang children is not just a lawsuit, but a moral test for all of us, whether this country really favors child protection and civilized human values. Because in every action of the state apparatus, it should be reflected in a simple but in-depth message, the law must protect, not injure," concluded Sudding.