By Abigail Philip David
A 36-year-old man in West Jakarta, identified as RA, has been arrested for allegedly selling his 11-month-old baby online for 15 million rupiah (approximately US$955) without his wife’s consent. The proceeds were reportedly used to fund his online gambling addiction and cover personal expenses, according to local reports.
The case came to light on October 1 when the child’s mother, who had been working in Kalimantan, returned home to find her baby missing. RA initially tried to evade the truth but later admitted to selling the child after his wife pressured him for answers. The distressed mother accompanied RA to the Tangerang City Police Department to report the incident.
Tangerang City Metro Police Chief, Zain Dwi Nugroho, explained that RA claimed he sold the baby to ease financial difficulties. However, investigations revealed that most of the money was spent on online gambling, contradicting his earlier explanation.
The buyers, identified as HK and MO, were also arrested. They are suspected of being part of a human trafficking network, and authorities apprehended them at a rented residence in Tangerang, where they found the baby. According to Mr. Zain, RA had discovered the buyers through a Facebook post seeking to purchase a toddler, and he then arranged the sale.
The three individuals are now under investigation for human trafficking, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of 600 million rupiah under Indonesian law. Violations of child protection laws carry similar penalties.
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission expressed outrage over the incident. Chief Ai Maryati condemned RA’s actions, stating, “It is deeply concerning that he used his financial situation to engage in illegal activities, including the sale of a child, which is a gross violation of human rights.”
This case is not isolated. Ms. Maryati pointed to another incident where a baby trafficking ring was dismantled in Depok, Jakarta, in September. Eight suspects were arrested for selling newborns via Facebook to buyers in Bali, citing poverty as a driving factor.
She emphasized that there is no justification for exploiting children in this way and called for stricter enforcement of laws against human trafficking and online gambling. Ms. Maryati also urged the government to focus on long-term solutions, including education and public awareness campaigns, to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The rise of online gambling in Indonesia has become a growing concern. Communications and Information Minister Budi Arie Setiadi described it as a “serious threat to the country,” with an estimated 4 million Indonesians involved, particularly those aged 30 to 50. Economic pressures, as illustrated by the Asian Development Bank’s estimate that 9.4 percent of Indonesia’s population was living below the national poverty line in 2023, contribute to desperate actions like RA’s.
