The Head of Public Relations for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, explained that the Directorate of Women and Children Protection (PPA) and the Eradication of Human Trafficking (PPO), along with the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Cyber Directorate, have been assigned to handle the case.
"Including the South Jakarta Metropolitan Police to investigate information received about child prostitution in the Blok M area," he said on Friday.
Hermanto urges anyone with information, witnessing, or hearing about the incident to contact 110 or report to the authorities.
"The team will definitely investigate; no matter how small the information circulating, it will be responded to," he added.
Previously, a post circulated on social media platform X, via the account @intinyadeh, showing a screenshot of a Japanese citizen's experience in Indonesia.
"Several Japanese pedophiles are showing off and sharing information about child prostitution in Indonesia. The victims are 16-17 years old, and their posts indicate they are deliberately looking for children," the account wrote.
Earlier on May 13, the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta warned its citizens in Indonesia or traveling to Indonesia against engaging in child sexual exploitation, as perpetrators will be prosecuted in both Japan and Indonesia.
The stern warning came after local news reports about Japanese-language social media posts suggesting that individuals from Japan had committed such acts in Jakarta and elsewhere in the Southeast Asian country.
In a warning on its website, the embassy stated that local authorities may investigate anyone suspected of violating child protection laws or committing rape, noting that sexual intercourse with a minor can be prosecuted as rape even if consent has been expressed.
Japanese citizens who exploit minors in Indonesia will also face prosecution in Japan for violating domestic laws protecting children.
The Japanese Embassy in Laos also posted a similar warning on its website last year for its citizens visiting the Southeast Asian country.
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Translator: Ilham Kausar, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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