Minister says violence contradicts mentoring role
Speaking at his ministry's office in Salemba, Central Jakarta, Gus Ipul said procedures were in place to address incidents at Sekolah Rakyat, particularly violence. He said he needed more information before deciding how to proceed with Unhan.
If confirmed, the assault would run counter to the cadets' assignment to support and strengthen students' discipline, he said. He expressed regret at the possibility that cadets had used violence, stressing that neither violence nor bullying belonged in their mentoring role.
Family describes dormitory assault
The allegations concern an incident on the evening of October 18 at a Sekolah Rakyat dormitory in Pancakarya Village, Ajung District. One of the three students reportedly required treatment at a community health center. A student identified as P suffered chest bruising.
P's uncle, BD, said the confrontation began after students believed to be from Unhan caught a pupil smoking. Another pupil, S, questioned the beating and tried to defend his friend, but was also assaulted, according to BD. P was attacked after intervening as well.
"They were punched and kicked in the chest and back. They were treated at the Ajung health center," BD said on October 22. He placed the incident between 8 and 9 p.m. Western Indonesian Time, when no classes were taking place.
The family reported the allegations to Jember Police the next day and asked for legal action.
Witness interviews and psychological support
By October 22, Jember Resort Police had interviewed five witnesses in the case involving three students at Sekolah Rakyat Terintegrasi 1 Jember, according to ANTARA News Jawa Timur. The witnesses included a parent who filed a report, school staff and friends of the alleged victims.
Police had not yet questioned the suspected perpetrator, identified as an Unhan student. Investigators also planned to examine surveillance footage recorded inside the school.
Metro TV News identified the three alleged victims by the initials PW, SL and AAH and reported that they were traumatized and reluctant to return to school. The Jember Social Affairs Office said it would arrange psychological assistance for them.
Deployment's purpose and lawmakers' response
The cadets' assignment was part of a joint Social Affairs Ministry and Defense Ministry program scheduled for October 9-27 at 181 Sekolah Rakyat nationwide, Suara.com reported. Its 1,509 personnel comprised 1,188 Unhan cadets, 74 medical officer students, 182 organic mentors, 24 regional coordinators and 41 leaders.
At the October 9 departure ceremony, Gus Ipul said the program aimed to establish good habits, not conduct hazing. He urged those involved in education to prevent bullying, physical and sexual violence, and intolerance.
The allegations also drew a response from House Commission X member Muhamad Nur Purnamasidi, a Golkar lawmaker representing Jember-Lumajang. According to beritajatim.com, he said on October 21 that this was reportedly the first assault report involving a Sekolah Rakyat in Indonesia.
Purnamasidi said the commission would summon the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to examine whether teaching at Sekolah Rakyat differed from that at regular schools. The review would extend beyond Jember to all regions hosting Sekolah Rakyat, he said.
