Highlighting The Case Of Catcalling And Killing Police Lecturers, Commission III Of The DPR Asks The Police To Give Heavy Sanctions

Illustration of crime (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives Abdullah, highlighted cases of sexual harassment and violence involving police officers, such as repetitive catcalling and rape. According to him, this phenomenon shows the need for long-term strategic steps through increasing the capacity of the Directorate of Criminal Acts of Women and Children and Trafficking in Persons (Dirtipid PPA-PPO) Bareskrim Polri.

Abdullah assessed that this capacity increase is important to strengthen the protection system for the community, especially women and children from sexual and disturbing crimes.

"I ask the police for the perpetrators of cat calling in South Jakarta and rape and murder in Muaro Bungo, Jambi, to be thoroughly investigated and given the harshest sanctions, both ethical and criminal sanctions," Abdullah told reporters, Wednesday, November 5.

"And most importantly increase the capacity of the Ditirpid PPA-PPO Bareskrim Polri for both internal and external," he continued.

Abdullah explained that the Directorate of Directorate of PPA-PPO Bareskrim Polri can also play a role in prevention within the police's internal environment. These efforts, according to him, can be carried out through training and education to members of the police regarding gender-perspective public services.

This, Abdullah said, is in line with the National Police Chief Regulation Number 1 of 2022 concerning the Presence of Gender and Telegram Letters Numberd ST/2011/IX/Kep/2024 dated September 20, 2024. "This means that this regulation must be implemented by all members of the police with full and consistent commitment," he continued.

In addition to strengthening the capacity of the PPA and PPO Directorates, members of the House of Representatives commission in charge of legal and security affairs also encouraged the National Police to apply regular psychological tests, both during education and during active duties. This step, according to Abdullah, is quite important to detect potential violations and prevent future acts of sexual harassment.

"This measurable and routine psychological test has a strategic role to play in suppressing cases of sexual harassment and violence against women. And this is a form of police reform in the field of internal supervision," said the PKB legislator from the Central Java VI electoral district.

In addition to internal supervision, Abdullah also emphasized the importance of external supervision involving independent institutions and civil society organizations needs to be carried out in order to strengthen the system for preventing cases of violence against women.

"It is possible to create this external monitoring mechanism through cooperation, for example with Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan and civil society organizations that focus on promoting issues of gender equality and protection against women," Abdullah said.

Abdullah added that all efforts such as capacity building, gender-perspective training, as well as internal and external supervision will be effective if it is accompanied by data transparency from the police.

"The National Police needs to publicize case data openly, how many cases, what are the causes, how important it will be, and to what extent can it be handled. From there, strategies and tactics can be formulated that are more effective in suppressing similar cases in the future," he concluded.

As is known, in recent times, the public has been surprised by two prominent cases, namely verbal harassment or cat calling by police officers in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. Polda Metro Jaya is currently still investigating these police officers.

Not only that, Police Member Bripda Waldi alias W (22) was arrested after raping and killing a lecturer from Bungo Regency, Jambi, with the initials EY (37). This case was allegedly triggered by a love affair between the two.

After carrying out this heinous act, the perpetrator disguised himself with a fake hair (wig) and scanned the location of the incident to erase traces. The incident occurred at Al Kausar Residence Housing, Sungai Mengkuang Village, Central Rimbo District, on Sunday, November 2, morning.