REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) asserted that children should not be involved in politics nor to be politicized. KPAI regretted involvement of children in political nuanced activity during Car Free Day in Jakarta on Sunday (April 29) and also deplored the intimidation allegedly experienced by a boy.
"Children should be protected from political misuse in accordance with Article 15 of Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection," KPAI Commissioner of Civil Rights and Child Participation Division, Jasra Putra told reporters in Jakarta on Monday.
Jasra explained involving children who do not have political rights, in political activities is a form of mistreatment. When being brought to political nuanced events, the children are placed in a situation prone to conflict and violance.
Intimidation against children in political activities could affect child psychology. Furthermore, their development could be disrupted by mistreatment and misinformation.
"KPAI calls on all parties to uphold the best interests for children including in political activities," he said.
KPAI Commissioner of Education Divison Retno Listyarti said intimidation could traumatized the children victim. Other children who witnessed the incident might also be traumatized.
On Sunday, people who promote new president in 2019 election and those who support reelection of President Joko Widodo clashed in war of hashtags #2019GantiPresiden versus #DiaSibukKerja. Children were seen to be involved in the movement of both parties.
One of the kids experienced alleged intimidation together with his mom, Susi Ferawati who wore #DiaSibukKerja t-shirt.
KPAI assessed Car Free Day is no longer safe and friendly to children. It has transformed into a scary place for children, Retno said. Therefore, she urged Jakarta Provincial Government to restore Car Free Day (CFD) to its initial purpose.
Meanwhile, Susi has filed a police report to Jakarta Metro Police headquarters on alleged intimidation. According to Susi, during the incident she was walking with her son through a group of people who wear t-shirt #2019GantiPresiden. Some men teased her and it brought tears to her son eyes.
In the video, some other men were seen trying to escort Susi and her son. "I was left behind the group because my son had to make a stop at a nearest toilet," Susi said.
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