"Residents must be more sensitive and aware that children could be under threat from kidnappers or other persons with sinister intention," the ministry's Deputy for Child Protection, Nahar, noted, as per the statement here, Wednesday (January 4).
In response to the kidnapping of a six-year-old girl identified as MA in Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta, he emphasized that prevention measures should be optimized.
"Learning from this case, we hope this case will not recur in future. Moreover, prevention aspects must be prioritized," he remarked.
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The ministry's official also urged all parties to collaborate to boost child protection in Indonesia.
"All parties, those being parents, the community, the government, as well as (law enforcement) officers, must collectively ensure that child protection measures could be implemented properly to diminish threats that might harm (our children)," Nahar remarked.
Earlier, MA was kidnapped from her father's stall in Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta, by a suspect known as Iwan Sumarno, also identified by aliases Jacky, Herman, or Yudi, on December 7, 2022.
The victim was discovered on Monday (January 2) close to Cipadu Market, Tangerang, Banten.
She was rescued by Central Jakarta Police's Criminal Research Unit officers from the suspect when she was in a cart which the suspect used to scavenge scrap.
After the rescue, MA was transferred to the Kramat Jati Police Hospital, East Jakarta, to receive medical treatment. Meanwhile, the suspect was apprehended and transferred to the Central Jakarta Police for questioning.
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Translator: Anita Permata D, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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