Landlady’s discovery in Batam boarding house exposes alleged assault and threats against foster child.
Police in Sagulung, Batam, have arrested a 46-year-old man accused of sexually abusing his 12-year-old foster daughter after being found alone and undressed with her in a boarding-house room.
Foster Father Arrested After Boarding House Discovery
Sagulung Police’s criminal investigation unit arrested a man identified as TP, 46, on Saturday, April 18, after he was allegedly caught in a boarding-house room with his 12-year-old foster daughter with both reportedly not wearing clothes. The incident occurred in Kavling Kamboja, where TP resides. The case came to light when the boarding-house owner discovered the situation and alerted the child’s foster mother, M, 44, who then reported the matter to Sagulung Police.
Confession, Coercion And Threats Alleged
Sagulung Police criminal investigation head Inspector Anwar Aris said TP admitted to the act during questioning and is suspected of having forced the victim. Investigators also said the suspect allegedly threatened the girl to stop her from revealing what had happened. As part of the inquiry, police seized the victim’s clothing as evidence. Officers are now examining whether there were previous incidents involving the same suspect and victim.
Charged Under New Criminal Code Provisions
For his alleged actions, TP has been charged under Article 418 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. The provision addresses sexual offences involving abuse of authority or trust within close relationships. Inspector Aris said investigators are continuing to deepen the case to uncover any other potential wrongdoing beyond the incident already reported.
Police Emphasise Zero Tolerance For Child Abuse
Sagulung Police have stressed their commitment to taking firm action against any crimes targeting children. Aris urged the public to immediately report similar offences if they witness or experience them, underscoring that community vigilance is essential to protecting minors. He highlighted that child abuse often occurs in private spaces and within families or caregiving situations, making timely reporting by witnesses and relatives crucial for early intervention.
24-Hour Police Hotline For Community Reports
To facilitate faster reporting, Sagulung Police reminded residents that they can use the national Police 110 hotline, which is toll-free and operates 24 hours a day, to report crimes in their neighbourhoods. Authorities hope wider use of the hotline will help uncover hidden cases of violence or exploitation involving children. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, particularly in border regions like Batam that see frequent cross-strait movement, the case underlines the need for strong legal frameworks, community awareness and accessible reporting channels to safeguard children from abuse in both domestic and communal settings.
The arrest in Sagulung serves as a stark reminder that child abuse can occur even within foster families and familiar environments, and that prompt reporting by bystanders can be pivotal in stopping it. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the case reinforces the importance of robust child protection laws, cross-border awareness and community readiness to use hotlines and other reporting mechanisms to ensure vulnerable children are heard, believed and protected.
Sources: Batampos (2026) , Mata Kepri (2026)
Keywords: Sagulung Polsek, Foster Father Arrest, Child Sexual Abuse Allegation, Pasal 418 KUHP, Batam Boarding House, Indonesian Child Protection
