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hirty-nine-year-old construction worker I Wayan Cidra, from Jehem village in Bangli regency, who impregnated and then married a 14-year-old girl, was named a suspect for statutory rape by the Bangli Police on Wednesday.

“We have named Cidra a suspect in the hope that this kind of case is not repeated in the future,” Bangli Police head Adj. Sr. Comr. Sakeus Ginting told a public meeting attended by representatives of child rights organizations, Bangli and Jehem village communities, the Bangli House of Representatives and other relevant stakeholders at the Bangli Police office on Friday.

“The newlywed bride and groom were not present at the meeting so as to prevent their receiving any [negative] judgments from those attending,” said Sakeus.

“The problem is not so much over the marriage but over the repeated sexual intercourse that the suspect had with the girl. We truly hope to find the best solution for all concerned, both for the victim and the suspect,” said Sakeus.

Sakeus added that because Cidra had been very cooperative throughout the investigation, the police had decided not to detain him. “He has always obeyed our summons and he has never displayed any uncouth conduct toward his victim-cum-wife. Also, his victim is currently seven months’ pregnant; thus, we decided not to take him into custody,” said Sakeus.

Sakeus cited Article 81(2) of Law No. 23/2002 on child protection, which stipulates that sexual intercourse between an adult — either through threat or persuasion — and a minor below the age of 18 carries a sentence of three to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of between Rp 60 million (US$6,177) and Rp 300 million.

The girl, who has quit elementary school, was already seven months’ pregnant when Cidra married her in a traditional Balinese ceremony, which was legitimated by the bendesa adat (customary village chief) of Jehem on Jan. 23. The girl first engaged in sexual relations with Cidra, who already has a wife and two children, when she was 13.

Jehem village chief Made Widana said that although the marriage had been performed, village leaders would not interfere with the police’s case against Cidra.

“National law is higher than customary law. We won’t obstruct any law enforcement process,” Widana said. “We would be most grateful if child rights activists were willing to come to our village to raise our awareness about the Child Protection Law, so that such a case is not repeated in Jehem or other villages in Bangli,” added Widana, who acknowledged that he and his villagers did not really understand the content of this law.

Made Riyasa of the Bangli regency council of customary villages said it was high time to revise the villages’ awig-awig and perarem (traditional regulations) so that they were more up-to-date on Indonesia’s national laws. “The awig-awig and perarem urgently need to adopt the contents of the Child Protection Law as well as the law on the elimination of domestic violence,” suggested Riyasa.

Psychiatrist AA Sri Wahyuni, who attended the public meeting, promised that they would raise awareness among customary villagers on child rights issues, while closely monitoring and providing counseling for the expectant child bride.