Social Ministry Oversees 52 Children Involved in May 22 Riot

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Social Ministry’s children rehabilitation director, Kanya Eka Santi, said the ministry was overseeing 52 children arrested for involvement in the deadly May 22 riot.

“We receive 52 kids sent to us. So far, we’ve conducted an initial assessment,” said Kanya during a press conference at the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) office on Monday, May 27.

The assessment process consists of only physical or biological test albeit their tasks also included psychological, social, and spiritual matters. “But, considering the kids’ condition, we can only run one step for now,” she said.

After then, Kanya added, the ministry would identify if the children acted as perpetrators, victims, or witnesses in the riot. “We will synchronize [the assessment results] with the regional police's investigative reports (BAP).” 

Read: May 22 Riot; Group Attempts to Kill National Figures Revealed

According to reports she received from the police, some of the children claimed they only followed others to join the riot, while others even said to have been ordered to throw stones using catapults.

However, Kanya stopped short of detailing the motives behind the children's joining the rally against the election results that turned into a deadly May 22 riot. 

Kanya said the social rehabilitation focused on sending those 52 children home to their family immediately so they could resume their study.

FIKRI ARIGI