Indonesian police investigate alleged bullying after six-year-old boy is electrocuted in Jakarta park

Indonesian police are investigating an incident in which a six-year-old boy was electrocuted and lost consciousness after allegedly being bullied by older children at a public park in Central Jakarta, authorities and family members said.

The incident occurred on the evening of 7 June at Kramat Pulo Park in Jakarta's Senen district. The boy, identified by his initials MWP, was taken to hospital in critical condition after suffering an electric shock from a pole inside the park.

The case has drawn public attention after CCTV footage and videos circulating on social media appeared to show the child being carried and brought into contact with the pole shortly before he collapsed.

Police investigation ongoing

Central Jakarta Metro Police said investigators were still determining whether there was an element of intent behind the incident.

"We are still investigating this, whether it was intentional or not. They knew that the pole had electricity, or he did not know that the pole had electricity. Well, we are still investigating it," Rita Oktavia Shinta, head of the Women and Children Protection and Human Trafficking Unit (PPA-PPO) at Central Jakarta Metro Police, told reporters on Thursday.

According to Rita, preliminary findings indicate that the victim was allegedly lifted by several playmates before his feet were inserted into a pole later found to be carrying an electrical current.

Police have yet to question the two children seen in the footage and are continuing to analyse CCTV recordings and gather witness statements.

"It's still in the list. We are collecting evidence and witnesses," Rita said.

She added that investigators had examined the victim's parents, eyewitnesses and the parents of the alleged perpetrators.

"For the CCTV footage, we have obtained it and it is currently being examined," she said.

Police said the investigation remains focused on reconstructing the chronology of events and determining possible criminal charges.

Family alleges repeated bullying

The victim's grandmother, Linda Reselin, said CCTV footage showed two youths, identified by the initials LNG and RVN, taking her grandson towards the pole.

"I saw the CCTV inside the park. In the recording, my grandson was persecuted by two people identified as LNG and RVN. My grandson was dragged and taken to a pole that apparently had an electric current running through it, causing him to be electrocuted," Linda told reporters.

She said the family had reported the case to Central Jakarta Metro Police and was still waiting for accountability from those involved.

Linda said her grandson had regained consciousness but remained traumatised.

"Now my grandson is conscious, but he is still afraid when he meets people," she said.

The boy's mother, Vira Ismayanti, said her son had gone to play at the park on the evening of 7 June after receiving permission from her.

About an hour later, neighbours informed her that MWP had collapsed.

"Someone told me, 'Wildan fainted, Ma, he fainted'," Vira recalled.

She said other children allegedly dragged the unconscious boy by his legs and poured water on him after the incident.

"Then his friends dragged him by his feet and poured water on him. I thought, why was my child treated like an animal?" she said.

Critical condition and hospital treatment

Vira rushed her son to hospital before he was transferred to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), Jakarta's main referral hospital.

"At 8 p.m. I rushed him to RSCM by ambulance. During the journey my child had stopped breathing. He was still critical. They tried using equipment and oxygen, but it didn't work. After that the doctor administered medication and he was immediately placed in the ICU," she said.

The child remained in intensive care until the afternoon of 10 June.

"He was critical. He lost consciousness. Not a coma, just critical. He was in the ICU from Sunday and had not yet been moved to a regular ward," Vira said.

She said her son suffered head pain and sustained injuries that left a lump on his head.

"There was a bump and bleeding. They said his head hit the electric pole," she said.

Although MWP has since regained consciousness and returned home, Vira said his recovery remains ongoing.

"He has returned home. Yesterday we also visited him. Last night we visited him, he was fine, he was playing with his friends, he was cheerful," Rita said.

However, Vira said the boy continued to suffer from high fevers, reaching 40 degrees Celsius, and at one point his lips and feet turned blue.

"He's still sick. Earlier he had a fever, so I took him back to the community health clinic. It was 40 degrees," she said.

The child is expected to undergo psychological counselling next week as part of his recovery process.

Allegations of extortion and previous incidents

According to Vira, the alleged bullying was not an isolated incident.

She said her son told her after regaining consciousness that he had been assaulted by other children.

"The next day after he regained consciousness, he said, 'Mum, yesterday my friends beat me up'," she said.

When she asked why, her son allegedly replied that he had not brought money.

"'Why?' 'Because I wasn't given money. If I want to play at the field, I have to give money first,'" Vira quoted him as saying.

She said her son had repeatedly been pressured to hand over money in exchange for being allowed to play with other children.

"'If I don't give them money, they won't play with me,'" she said her son told her.

According to Vira, other children in the area were also allegedly asked for money, which was then used to buy snacks.

She also said her son had previously been bullied by the same individuals.

"Before this incident, my child's sandals were hidden in a tree. It was the same perpetrators," she said.

One of the alleged perpetrators is reportedly an 18-year-old high school student, while another is 13 years old.

Vira said the family intended to pursue legal action despite mediation efforts facilitated by police on 9 June.

"The police asked what we wanted to do after the mediation. My husband said the case should continue through the legal process," she said.

She said relatives of the alleged perpetrators apologised during the meeting.

"They apologised and even prostrated themselves before MWP's father and my family. But my family could not accept it," Vira said.

Questions over electrified pole

Officials from Jakarta's Parks and Urban Forest Agency said the pole became electrified due to issues involving underground electrical cables.

Agency officer Ilham said shifting underground cables may have come into contact with metal components, creating an electrical induction effect.

"This is an underground cable system and it is dynamic. There can be movement. The park has been here for months. Why didn't this happen before and only happen now? It means the cable moved," Ilham said.

He said root growth and other environmental factors could have contributed to the movement.

"There may have been pulling, roots, and other factors. That may have caused friction between the cable and metal, creating induction. Incidents like this are normal and can happen anywhere," he said.

According to Ilham, testing conducted after the incident detected approximately 40 volts in the pole.

He said repairs were completed on 8 June.

"There was a slight electric current, around 40 volts. It was tested using an avometer. Now everything is normal and there is no longer any electrical current," he said.

Child's condition and public reaction

The case has generated widespread attention online, with discussions focusing on allegations of bullying, child safety and the condition of public infrastructure.

Vira also rejected claims circulating online that her son was autistic.

"Yes, ADHD," she said when asked about her son's condition.

She said comments made by some local residents about her son had been hurtful.

"My child is completely normal," she said.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing as officers continue gathering evidence and witness testimony to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.