KPAI Calls for Review of Police Treatment of Children in Sukoharjo Raid
Indonesia's Child Protection Commission (KPAI) is seeking an investigation into alleged intimidation and procedural violations during a police raid in Sukoharjo, Central Java, where children were taken for questioning as witnesses. Police officials said the search had a warrant and court authorization.
Children questioned in arson investigation
The search was connected to an investigation into arson and vandalism at the "Mi dan Babi Tepi Sawah" food stall in Parangjoro Village, Grogol District, Sukoharjo. The attack occurred on September 12, 2026, according to Kompas.id.
KPAI Vice Chairman Jasra Putra said officers took ten female students, a female teacher and two toddlers for questioning as witnesses. Kompas.id reported KPAI's account that the students taken to the police station were between 10 and 16 years old.
At a November 2 press conference in Jakarta, Jasra said investigators must protect children's dignity and put their best interests first, as required by the Child Protection Law and the Juvenile Justice System Law. He said KPAI respects the Indonesian National Police's authority to fully investigate crimes.
Allegations about the search and questioning
Jasra said police searched the premises while students were asleep. His concerns included the deployment of armed officers, shouting and physical contact with students.
"Some of the students were not given the opportunity to wear their hijabs before facing the officers, there were allegations of shouting, pointing weapons at the students, physical actions against one student, and initial questioning that reportedly occurred without the presence of parents or legal guardians," he said.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) also condemned the alleged violence and disregard for legal procedure, Kompas.id reported. Citing the new Criminal Procedure Code, Law No. 20 of 2025, it said the female students and teachers were witnesses, not suspects. They should have received formal summons letters rather than being subjected to an early-morning operation involving heavily armed personnel, the commission said.
Police account and calls for oversight
National Police and Central Java Police officials said officers conducted the search with a warrant and an official court order, according to Tempo and Kompas.id. They said female police officers, known as Polwan, and the Sukoharjo Women and Children Protection Unit (UPTD PPA) participated.
KPAI asked the Central Java Police and Sukoharjo Police to publicly explain how they conducted the search and questioned the child witnesses. It also called for an internal review of the alleged mistreatment, including scrutiny by the police Professional and Security Division (Propam).
Reading KPAI's recommendations, Commissioner Ai Maryati Shalihah called on Propam and the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) to investigate the alleged procedural violations, which she said seriously affected the children.
KPAI also sought the prompt return of any children's belongings unrelated to the investigation. Police officials said several seized items had been returned to the institution's legal representatives on October 31, 2026.
Classes halted at Quranic study house
Kompas.id reported that KPAI and Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) confirmed that the "Hamalatul Qur'an" Tahfidz House lacked official operational permits as a pesantren. The institution operates as a Quranic study house and does not meet the requirements of Law No. 18 of 2019 on Pesantren.
The students were sent home after the raid, but classes at the study house stopped because police tape continued to cordon off the premises, according to Kompas.id.