DPR Supports TPF In Investigating Allegations Of Exploitation Of Ex-Taman Safari Players

Illustration of justice (ANTARA)

JAKARTA Support for the formation of a fact-finding team (TPF) to investigate cases of alleged abuse and exploitation of former Indonesian Circular circus (OCI) is getting stronger. Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Gilang Dhielafararez, emphasized the importance of reopening cases that had been drowning for decades.

"This is an old case, but only now it has surfaced. The state must not remain silent. The victims have the right to justice," Gilang told reporters, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

According to him, the state must be present to ensure recovery for victims and accountability from parties suspected of committing violations. Gilang said that the facts that had been hidden had to be clearly disclosed.

This case of violence against circus players has occurred since the late 1990s. They claimed to have experienced inhumane treatment, ranging from physical violence to exploitation during performances, including in Taman Safari Indonesia.

"Constitution guarantees a decent job and livelihood. If there is a violation during that time it takes place in the workspace, especially for women and children, then the state must be present," he said.

Gilang assessed that Amnesty International Indonesia's recommendations encouraging the formation of the TPF deserve consideration. According to him, TPF will be the entrance to uncovering the country's failure to protect its citizens and uncover potential gross human rights violations.

The legislator from the Central Java II electoral district also asked the government to audit the management of the Indonesian Oriental Circes and the Taman Safari Indonesia Group.

There needs to be a comprehensive legal and human rights compliance test. This is not only a matter of the past, but also a guarantee that similar incidents do not happen again in the future," he said.

He even suggested that supervision be expanded to other circuses. If only Safari Park can happen, what about other places where the management is not that good?

It is known that the National Police Headquarters had handled a criminal report on this case in 1997, but the investigation was stopped in 1999 on the grounds of lack of evidence. Gilang questioned the reason for the termination.

"If there is no evidence, why not conduct a more in-depth investigation? This concerns human rights that must be protected," he said.

According to Gilang, the expiration of cases does not mean that justice will also die. "The principle of justice must not be buried by time. The victims are still entitled to clarity and recovery," he added.

The case resurfaced after several former circus players, including Butet and his daughter Fifi, presented a heartbreaking testimony before the Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights, Mugiyanto, on April 15.

They revealed the experience of years of violence being part of a circus group, including family separation and abusive treatment during training.

Fifi is even said to have had to escape through the Cisarua forest to be free from the circus group.

However, Taman Safari denied its relationship. They claim that the violence is not an institutional responsibility, but an individual issue.

Commission III of the DPR, which received complaints from victims on April 21, gave the circus manager seven days to resolve this case amicably. If this is not achieved, the DPR opens an option for victims to take legal action.

Meanwhile, the victim's attorney, Hepi Sebayang, stated that Komnas HAM had found human rights violations in this case since 1997. However, the recommendation of Komnas HAM at that time was not followed up by the management.

The son of the founder of OCI, Jansen Manangsang, admitted that he had accepted Komnas HAM's recommendation, but refused that there was an act of violence as stated in the victim's confession.

Amnesty International Indonesia also encouraged Komnas HAM to form a pro-justisia investigation team to ensure that the handling of this case was carried out objectively, independently, and in favor of the victim. Gilang also agreed to this step.

"This is an important step to open the veil of immunity. It is not enough just by a family approach. There must be real legal and justice steps," he concluded.