Minister Arifah Regrets The Light Verdict Of TNI Personnel Killing A 16-year-old Teenager In Deli Serdang

JAKARTA - Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifah Fauzi regretted the military court's decision on a case of violence committed by members of the TNI who killed a 16-year-old teenager in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra.

"Every form of violence against children is a crime that cannot be tolerated and must be processed transparently, fairly, and provide a fair deterrent effect," said PPPA Minister Arifah Fauzi as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, October 26.

The reason is that the verdict handed down by the military court against the perpetrators is considered lighter than the threat of punishment regulated in the Child Protection Law.

"The Ministry of PPPA respects the entire ongoing legal process, including the authority of the military justice. However, we encourage all law enforcement officers, both in general and military courts, to place the best interests of children as the main consideration in every process and decision. Moreover, based on Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI, violations of general criminal law should be processed in general courts, not military courts," said Arifah Fauzi.

His party emphasized that there is no tolerance for perpetrators of violence against children.

"The state must be present to ensure the best justice and protection for every Indonesian child," said Minister Arifatul Choiri Fauzi.

This case began on May 24, 2024, when MHS and his friends were at the location of the brawl on Jalan Pelican, Deli Serdang.

When the authorities dispersed the brawl, MHS was allegedly arrested and persecuted by Babinsa officers until he was seriously injured and died, even though the victim was not involved in the brawl.

The victim's mother then reported the case to the Military Police Detachment I/5.

Setelah lebih dari satu tahun proses hukum berjalan, pengadilan militer menjatuhkan vonis kepada pelaku dengan hukuman pidana penjara selama 10 bulan dan pembayaran restitusi sebesar Rp12.777.100.

Hukuman pidana ini lebih ringan dari ancaman hukuman yang diatur dalam Pasal 76C Jo. Pasal 80 ayat (3) Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 tentang Perlindungan Anak, yaitu 15 tahun penjara.

After more than a year of legal proceedings, a military court sentenced the perpetrator with a prison sentence of 10 months and a restitution payment of Rp. 12,777,100.

This criminal sentence is lighter than the penalty stipulated in Article 76C Jo. Article 80 paragraph (3) of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, which is 15 years in prison.