Committee III of DPD RI Oversees Little Aresha Daycare Case, Pushes for Child Protection Legal Framework

10 September 2026 oleh admin

Yogyakarta, dpd.go.id — Committee III of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) held an advocacy session to evaluate the progress of handling the child abuse case at Little Aresha Daycare, held at the DPD RI Building in Yogyakarta on Wednesday (9/9). The child abuse case at Little Aresha Daycare was first exposed in April 2026 following a report from a former caregiver at the daycare. A raid conducted by the Yogyakarta City Resort Police (Polresta Yogyakarta) uncovered a number of children in distressing conditions. It was later revealed that the daycare had been operating without an official operational permit.

Chairperson of Committee III of the DPD RI, Filep Wamafma, appreciated the steps taken by the Resort Police, the City Government, and the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) in overseeing this case through to the law enforcement stage. However, he urged that the legal process deliver an appropriately deterrent effect, while also pressing for revisions to existing regulations so that establishing victim status does not require waiting for a court verdict. According to him, this case is not merely a local Yogyakarta issue, but a snapshot of a broader threat to the future of children across Indonesia. “This is also a snapshot of the future of our children throughout Indonesia. If the state is not present in the midst of this issue, we fear that the Golden Indonesia 2045 (Indonesia Emas 2045) vision will be threatened by violence against children,” Filep stated.

Vice Chairperson of Committee III of the DPD RI, Ahmad Syauqi Soeratno, noted that the legal proceedings for this case have entered the third trial hearing, and Committee III will continue to monitor it until completion. “We open the opportunity for all parties to submit new data or evidence to the police, so that the possibility of new suspects emerging remains open,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Members of Committee III of the DPD RI, the Yogyakarta City Government, the Yogyakarta City Resort Police (Polresta Yogyakarta), the Regional Child Protection Commission (KPAID) of Yogyakarta City, the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) RI, and representatives of the victims' parents.

Chairperson of the KPAID of Yogyakarta City, Sylvi Dewajani, highlighted the absence of a unified licensing, supervision, and accreditation mechanism for early childhood education services, which remains overlapped across several ministries. She noted that at least 31 daycare services in Yogyakarta are currently unlicensed and still in the application process. “Licensing and supervision are split between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kementerian PPPA), leading to situations like Little Aresha. I am certain this issue is similar in other provinces,” Sylvi revealed.

This finding aligns with notes from Committee III of the DPD RI showing that there are four ministries/agencies with different nomenclatures and authorities over similar daycare services: the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Taman Asuh Ramah Anak/TARA), the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Taman Penitipan Anak/TPA), the Ministry of Social Affairs (Taman Asuh Sejahtera/TAS), and the Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKKBN (Taman Asuh Sayang Anak/TAMASYA), without a single overarching legal framework unifying their regulation.

Chief of the Yogyakarta City Resort Police, Senior Commissioner of Police Ari Setyawan Wibowo, explained that the investigation ,which began from a public report on April 12, 2026 has now implicated 32 suspects following two stages of case development. A total of 13 suspects, consisting of caregivers, the foundation chair, and the school principal, have undergone their initial trial. The remaining 19 suspects were transferred to the Prosecutor's Office on September 1, 2026. The Resort Police emphasized that they remain open to the emergence of new suspects should additional evidence be found. “We are committed that if we later find or suspect new perpetrators based on available evidence, we will certainly process and follow up on them. We will always remain open in handling this case,” he emphasized.

Furthermore, Head of the Office of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning of Yogyakarta City, Retnaningtyas, reported that out of 202 children accessing the services of the Women and Children Protection Unit (UPT PPA) comprising 110 boys and 92 girls, 111 children have been facilitated to transfer to 43 different schools, with a two-month tuition fee (SPP) subsidy provided by the Yogyakarta City Regional Budget (APBD). Psychological support has reached 133 children through initial assessments and 149 children through developmental monitoring, in collaboration with the Yogyakarta City Association of Clinical Psychologists, local public health centers (Puskesmas), and the Family Learning Center (Puspaga). “In addition to conducting initial assessments for parents and children, to date we are also providing psychological support through psychoeducation activities for parents, students, and teachers, especially at the recipient schools for transfers from Little Aresha,” Retnaningtyas explained.

Acting Chairperson of LPSK RI, Sri Nurherwati, along with LPSK Senior Expert Abdanev Joppa, reported that the agency has received 92 protection applications (86 child victims, five parents, and one witness) since the case came to light. LPSK has calculated proposed restitution for 83 individuals with a total value of IDR 2,119,777,283, referring to Government Regulation Number 43 of 2017 and Law Number 3 of 2026 on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims. The restitution components cover parents' lost income, transportation and school transfer costs, as well as projected medical and psychological recovery expenses for the children. “LPSK has accompanied the victims through court proceedings and conducted various assessments solely to fulfill the rights of witness-victims regarding the right to restitution for damages suffered by the victims and their families, which is the responsibility of the perpetrators,” she detailed.

Representatives of the victims' parents, Sahuri and Ismanto, conveyed several hopes during the meeting, including: a fair, transparent, and comprehensive legal process against all responsible parties within the foundation's structure; the fulfillment of restitution rights and long-term recovery for child victims who currently still suffer from psychological trauma and developmental delays; and support from the DPD RI so that their letter requesting an audience with President Prabowo Subianto can be followed up by the Yogyakarta City Government. “We hope the investigation process is conducted thoroughly against all parties listed in the structure who hold authority or responsibility in the Little Aresha Foundation. There are still four individuals we wish to pursue further so that they are named as suspects,” Sahuri said.

Committee III of the DPD RI stated that it will continue to oversee this case until justice for the victims is served, while simultaneously pushing for the enactment of national regulations on the supervision and operation of daycares so that similar incidents do not recur in other regions.