Medan Social Service Securs 40 Children From 2 Orphanages After Viral Caretaker 'Mengemis Online'

A number of children were in the car taking them to the Bahagia Center on Jalan Williem Iskandar, Medan City, North Sumatra. (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Medan City)

MEDAN - The Social Service (Dinsos) of Medan City, North Sumatra, has secured 40 children from two orphanages who are suspected of exploiting them by asking for help through social media.

Head of Medan City Social Service, Khoiruddin Rangkuti, explained that his party immediately moved quickly after receiving reports from local people regarding the case.

"Of course we are collaborating with the police. The temporary examination of these two orphanages is not registered and does not have an orphanage/LKSA operational permit (Child Social Welfare Institute) from the Medan City Social Service," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, September 22.

The two orphanages, he said, were the Tunas Kasih Olayama Raya Orphanage, Medan Perjuangan District and orphanages on Jalan Rinte Raya, Simpang Selayang Village, Medan Tuntungan District.

He said dozens of children were temporarily placed in the Happy Center belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs on Jalan Williem Iskandar No.377, Sidorejo Hilir Village, Kecamatna Medan Tembung.

"In total there are 40 people. Because in the first orphanage we secured 25 people and 15 children in the second orphanage," he said.

Following up on these two events, his party plans to form a special team to monitor the existence of various orphanages in the city of Medan that are suspected of exploiting children.

"This refers to a circular letter from the Minister of Social Affairs prohibiting exploitation of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities," said Khoiruddin.

The Head of Social Rehabilitation of the Medan City Social Service Office, Mariance, said that based on the handling of the case, his party found that many inappropriate facilities were given to children living in orphanages.

"We also appreciate the community's quick response to immediately report strange things like this, so that exploitation of children can be overcome as soon as possible," he said.