Films should have a positive impact on the public, and be especially safe for children
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has called on filmmakers to produce films that are safe and friendly for children to watch after a murder case involving a 15-year old teenager allegedly inspired by movies. "KPAI is calling on filmmakers and producers to make movies which have an educative side and can stimulate the development of a positive character for Indonesian children," KPAI's Commissioner for Pornography and Cybercrime Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah said here Monday.

Movies could encourage deviant behavior in children and compel them to commit criminal acts, Maimunah said.

Hence, the commission has called on the government to be more selective in giving a license for the distribution of films in the country. It called on the government to ensure that films distributed in Indonesia are not only entertaining but also carry educative value.

"Films should have a positive impact on the public, and be especially safe for children," she said.

KPAI has also called on the public and parents to monitor movies and social media accessed by their children.

Cases related to the violation of children's rights and criminal acts that involve children should become an entry point for the public to muster commitment in child protection, Chairman of KPAI Susanto said.

"The latest case that has shocked all of us involving children who committed the crime allegedly inspired by movies," Susanto said.

On March 5, a 15-year-old girl killed a 5-year-old child at her home in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta. The perpetrator likes to draw mysterious things that tend to be sadistic, the police said.

The victim’s body was found inside the wardrobe of the suspect tied with a rope and the mouth clogged with tissue, the authorities said.

The suspect came to Taman Sari Police and confessed to the crime on March 6.

The police have yet to find out the motive of the killing but based on the suspect’s statement, she did it spontaneously since she often watches horror fiction such as The Slender Man and Chucky.

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Translator: Dewanto S, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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