The exchange began with a Twitter post tagging the Gerindra Twitter account, asking for comment on reports that the underage victim would be made to marry the suspect.

"It all depends on the victim’s decision, whether they want to continue this case legally or take other steps or options," the Gerindra account replied on Wednesday (26/05). The statement was criticized by other Twitter users as insensitive and unnecessary. It also contradicts the Gerindra party’s position in favor of the sexual violence eradication bill (RUU PKS). The statement has since been deleted.

The unnamed 21-year-old son of a Gerindra politician allegedly raped and abused the 15-year-old victim, held her captive and sold her to several men. The alleged perpetrator was a fugitive for a few days before being handed over to the police by his family. His father sits on the Bekasi Regional Representative Council (DPD).

The idea that the suspect would marry the victim came from a comment made by the suspect's lawyer, Bambang Sudarso, to Kompas.com. "I hope that we can marry [the two]. We will take care of it, even though the legal process is still ongoing. Maybe it can be make things easier because [the abuse] has already happened," he said.

Indonesian Child Protection Agency (LPAI) chair Seto Mulyadi told Kompas.com that he denounced the idea that the suspect would marry the underage victim. He considered it a scheme to avoid punishment and added that the police had to process the case legally. “Letting the suspect marry his victim is already wrong, let alone committing sexual violence. Whatever the reason, harassing children under 18 years of age is violating the Child Protection Law," Seto said.

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