inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Vice Chairman of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sugiat Santoso asked Indonesian National Police (INP) to reopen the case of alleged exploitation of former circus performers at the Oriental Circus Indonesia (OCI).

Based on records from the National Commission (Komnas) on Human Rights, the investigation into the alleged exploitation case of the OCI circus was stopped in 1999 by the police.

"We encourage INP to reopen this case and if you are struggling with it, let's talk about the technicalities," said Sugiat after an audience with the victims of the OCI circus at the parliament complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/23/2025).

He was also surprised that the investigation was stopped because there was no evidence, even though taking children aged 5 to 8 years without legal reason is a crime.

According to him, the alleged crime in the case could refer to the findings of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan). Sugiat said that Komnas Perempuan noted that the alleged exploitation case violated the 1945 Constitution, and even violated international law.

Sugiat also noted that President Prabowo Subianto had emphasized that he would uphold Human Rights, as stated in the first point of Astacita. The President's vision and mission, Sugiat believes, could be the foundation for strengthening law enforcement in the case.

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