TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States government through its Embassy in Jakarta stated its disappointment with the court’s ruling against two Jakarta International School (JIS) teachers, Neil Bantlemand and Ferdinand Tjiong. The two teachers have been sentenced to 10 years in prison and Rp100 million fine for committing sexual abuse against three JIS kindergarten students.

“We always follow the case entangling JIS teachers, and any case related to child abuse is a sensitive issue,” US Ambassador to Indonesia Rober Blake said in a press release received by Tempo on Thursday, April 2, 2015.

Blake said the investigation into the case and credible evidence supporting the accusation had been questionable.

“In relation to these [matter], we are very disappointed with the court’s decision,” Mr. Blake said, hoping that the next legal proceeding would consider all existing facts.

Mr. Blake called for a fair and unbiased trial for the next session as guaranteed by the Indonesia’s Constitution.

“The international community is following this case. The decision on the legal proceeding, which reflects the law in Indonesia, will affect Indonesia’s reputation overseas,” Mr. Blake added.

NATALIA SANTI | MAYA NAWANGWULAN