DPR Suggests Iwas Disabled Without Hand Suspects Of Sexual Harassment Undergoing Mental Assessment

DPR-MPR Building. (Dino Januarsa-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII DPR Selly Andrianygana encouraged a psychological assessment of I Wayan Agus Suartama (IWAS), a disabled man without hands from Mataram City, NTB, who was named a suspect in cases of alleged sexual harassment and rape. This is done to ensure justice for all parties.

"I encourage a fair law, even though the suspect has a disability status, that does not mean that this eliminates the case. Moreover, law enforcers already have evidence," said Selly Andriany Change, Wednesday, December 4.

According to Selly, based on Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS), the Police can carry out case investigations with only one piece of evidence. The victim's confession alone can be used as evidence where in this case there are already 2 pieces of evidence pocketed by the police, and strengthened by examination of five witnesses, including the victim's statement.

For this reason, Selly supports the investigation of cases for justice, both for victims and perpetrators.

Psychological or psychological assessment is needed to determine the suspect's condition, whether there is a tendency for sexual abnormalities even though he is disabled. Reports of 13 victims cannot be ignored, especially since there are some who are suspected to be minors," he said.

"This law enforcement and rehabilitation is also in line with Article 3 of the TPKS Law letter C. We leave it to the experts because they must have the expertise to judge so that the truth will really be revealed," continued Selly.

This case stems from a report by a MA student who reported to the NTB Police that she was raped by Agus. After the police conducted an investigation and collaborated with the NTB Disability Commission (KDD), it turned out that there had been reports from 7 victims who were hit by Agus on the same charges.

There is even one victim who is 18 years old or a minor category. The series of sexual violence incidents occurred in the period 2022 to 2024.

IWAS alias Agus 'Bentung' has also been named a suspect by the West Nusa Tenggara Police for allegedly sexually harassing more than one woman. This case is widely discussed by netizens because they doubt whether a disabled person who has not had hands since birth can sexually harass.

Selly understands the concern of the public who questioned this case because of Agus' condition as a person with disabilities.

"But the examination was carried out based on facts. After all, the rights concerned were also given by the police by applying the status of house arrests to the suspect because of his condition," said the legislator from the West Java VIII electoral district.

Selly also hopes that the legal process can be carried out in a transparent and accountable manner. He also encourages law enforcement to use an inclusive approach in cases involving persons with disabilities.

"Legal officials must cooperate with disability experts and civil society organizations to ensure that all aspects related to the suspect's condition, including his rights, can be taken into account," concluded Selly.