Deputy Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Encourages Restorative Justice In The Supriyani Teacher Case

Supriyani's detention, an honorary teacher at SDN 4 Baito, South Konawe (South Konawe), Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra). (Special)

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal highlighted the case of an honorary teacher, Supriyani, who became a suspect after being accused of molesting a police child student in South Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra). He encouraged the Supriyani teacher case to be resolved with restorative justice or restorative justice steps.

"We regret that there was a legal case that happened to one of the honorary teachers, Mrs. Supriyani. This problem should have been resolved from the start through peaceful means," said Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, Thursday, October 24.

Supriyani became a suspect in the alleged abuse of students by the South Konawe Police on Wednesday (3/7). Supriyani was then detained after stage II was handed over the case file and the suspect from the police to the Prosecutor's Office.

But finally, the judge at the District Court (PN) Andoolo, South Konawe (South Konawe), suspended Supriyani's detention taking into account the condition of the suspect having a small child and her status as a teacher at SD Negeri 4 Baito who had to carry out her duties. Cucun considered that the judge's decision was correct.

"We are grateful for the decision to postpone this detention. In the judicial process, the principle of humanity must also be a concern," said the legislator from the West Java II electoral district.

Although currently the detention of Supriyani's teacher is being suspended, the legal case will continue to trial. The inaugural trial of Supriyani's case will be held at the Andoolo District Court today.

Cucun also encouraged Supriyani's teacher case to be resolved by a restorative justice (RJ) approach. Through a restorative justice approach, case settlement can be used as an instrument for restoring justice.

There are various legal guidelines that allow Supriyani's teacher's case to be resolved using the RJ approach. We hope that the judge can be wise in considering RJ's conduct in this case," said Cucun.

One of the regulations governing the application of restorative justice by a judge or court is contained in Supreme Court Regulation (PERMA) Number 1 of 2024 concerning Guidelines for Providing Criminal Cases Based on Restorative Justice.

Cucun said that the application of restorative justice can be achieved if the victim forgives the perpetrator of a crime, as well as the victim and the perpetrator make peace.

Not all problems must be resolved through criminal means. Strive for the creation of peace in cases of light law. Law enforcement officials must also ensure the presence of justice for all parties," he said.

"Because justice is not only about black and white. Real justice is how we put everything in the right portion," added Cucun.

The DPR leadership in charge of people's welfare affairs (Kesra) also encouraged the court to really reveal the truth of this case. Cucun highlighted how Supriyani's teacher insisted on not committing abuse, coupled with a number of witnesses who supported Supriyani's confession.

"We hope the court can reveal the truth of this case. We don't want an innocent person to be harmed because of a misunderstanding," he said.

Based on the police's explanation, the alleged abuse case began when an elementary school student with the initials MC was caught having a wound from the abuse on his thigh. The student admitted that Supriyani was abused so that his father, who is one of the police personnel at the Baito Police, took this matter to court.

Prior to the investigation, the mediation process had been carried out several times. Based on information, Suryani was asked to pay a fine of Rp. 50 million to the families of MC students during mediation. However, the school only agreed to pay Rp. 10 million.

The complainant was said to have refused to make peace because the demands for the fine he asked for could not be met. Because he did not find a way of peace, finally Supriyani's legal case was continued and he was immediately detained.

Supriyani also admitted that she was asked to admit the allegations of abuse related to her determination as a suspect during a police investigation. He stated that he had never admitted to molesting the victim and the apology he made so that the problem would pass quickly.

"If this information really happens, we hope that the Police can follow up further so that corruption seeds and abuse of authority do not appear. The arrogance of the apparatus is also unjustified," said Cucun.

The LBH Association of Indonesian Young Advocates (HAMI) of Southeast Sulawesi who provided legal assistance to Supriyani revealed that there were many irregularities in this case. Because on the day of the alleged incident, Supriyani was in a different class from the reporting child.

In the indictment of the prosecutor's office, the complainant's son is said to have been beaten once with a broom. Meanwhile, based on the testimony of other teachers who saw firsthand the condition of MC students, the child's wound looked like a limp wound, not like a stab wound.

In addition, Supriyani, who has served as an honorary teacher for 16 years, was accused of molesting him at 10.00 WITA. According to LBH, the time of the incident could not be justified considering that at that hour all students had returned home.

On this matter, Cucun emphasized the importance of all stakeholders, including the police and the justice system, to handle this case in transparency and justice.

"We all agree that abuse of children is an act that cannot be tolerated. But we must also ensure that all parties are treated fairly and that accusations are not used as a tool to attack," he explained.

According to Cucun, Supriyani's teacher has the right to a fair legal process where evidence and facts must be the basis of every decision taken. That way there will be no suspicion that the law is blunt upwards but sharp downwards.

"In this case, justice is not only about punishing the guilty, but also protecting the innocent from stigma and harm they shouldn't have suffered," Cucun said.

Cucun also supports the Ministry of Elementary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) which states that it will appoint Supriyani as a teacher for Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK) through affirmation channels. Moreover, honorary teachers such as Supriyani are often in vulnerable positions.

"Because at this time teachers not only have to fulfill their teaching responsibilities, but often also face legal risks that can threaten their careers and lives," he said.

"So we hope that the protection of teachers will be further improved, including welfare for honorary teachers, which we still have to fight for, considering that their income is not comparable to the responsibilities and risks they must face," concluded Cucun.