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icrofinance executive Komang Su was reported to the police in Gianyar regency for allegedly molesting three young girls but was released based on a lack of supporting evidence.

Ni Nengah Budawati, director for the Legal Aid Institute for Women Protection (LBH APIK), slammed the police for paying little attention to pedophilia.

“We are so disappointed over how the Sukawati police precinct handled this case,” Budawati said.

The police, she said, did not understand the 2002 Child Protection Law used to deal with cases of sexual molestation against youngsters.

Under the law, perpetrators face a maximum punishment of 18 years in prison

“I just wonder why the police did not act immediately to take care of this case. They should have taken preventive action to protect children against sex predators. Should we wait until these young girls are raped?” argued Budawati.

Dr. A.A. Sri Wahyuni, chairman of Bali chapter of the Indonesian Commission for Child Protection (KPAID), said that the man in question fit the profile of a pedophile.

“He reportedly sent toys, dolls and other gifts to these young girls and allegedly tried to seduce youngsters,” Wahyuni said.

Bali is a renowned haven for local and international pedophiles. Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar treated 60 victims of sexual harassment, including rape, in the first half of this year alone.

Previously, parents of one of the three victims, a 13-year-old, reported the abuse to Sukawati Police.

According to the report, Komang Su asked the girl to meet him at Soka Beach in Gianyar. Over a text message, Komang Su promised to give the girl a doll. On Sept. 1, Komang Su picked up the girl and took her to the beach.

When the man made advances on the girl she called out for help. A number of nearby pecalang traditional security officers then chased the man away.

Based on information from another victim who was initially too afraid to report the case, Komang Su was finally arrested by local residents and taken to the police station and later released.

Ventie Bernard Musak, head of Sukawati police office, said: “We don’t have enough evidence to support any charges against [Komang].”