P

olice are continuing with their investigation into the death of two children at a recent event held at the National Monument (Monas) square in Central Jakarta, even after the victims’ families have received compensation from the event organizer.

Mahesa Junaedi, 12, and Muhamad Rizki Syaputra, 10, died on April 28 as they were bustled about in a crowd of thousands of people who had gathered at a social outreach event featuring musical performances and free food packages.

The event, which was organized by Forum Untukmu Indonesia (Forum for Indonesia — FUI), turned chaotic, with hardly any police or public order officers on scene to control the crowd.

Rizki’s mother, Komariah, had reported the case to the police.

The organizers were accused of violating Article 359 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on negligence causing death.

Mahesa’s parents did not report the case.

Komariah later revoked the report, but police decided to carry on with the investigation.

Komariah was questioned on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“She was questioned about the chronology [of events],” Irfan Iskandar, her lawyer, told The Jakarta Post.

Irfan admitted that Komariah had received Rp 500 million (US$ 35,500) from the lawyer representing the event organizer, but denied that it was hush money.

“[Rizki’s] mother has made peace with her son’s death. She doesn’t want her son’s grave to be re-opened for the case. The money is for the sake of compassion,” he said.

Irfan said the police were continuing with their investigation, because they considered the case a general offense, which could be probed without reports from victims.

Instead of directly distributing food, the organizers offered vouchers that could be exchanged for 1 kilogram of rice, three packages of instant noodles and 1 liter of cooking oil. A separate lunch voucher was to be exchanged for a rice box and bread.

Thousands of people showed up and began pushing for their share, causing several women to faint.

However, because no medical personnel were in attendance, they were carried to safety by other visitors but received no medical treatment.

Early reports from various news outlets said Mahesa and Rizki were crushed to death or died of dehydration and exhaustion.

Mahesa reportedly ended up in Monas unplanned with his best friend Akmal. However, due to the overwhelming crowd, the two friends were separated.

Upon arriving home, Akmal told Mahesa’s parents about the large crowds, sending the latter’s father, Djunaidy, racing to Monas on his motorcycle.

He was later informed that a boy had been found unconscious on the parking lot at around 4 p.m. and rushed to Tarakan Hospital.

Mahesa was pronounced dead at around 8 p.m.

The Jakarta administration has refused to take blame for the incident.

Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said the administration had forbidden the activity in Monas.

“[It was forbidden] despite the fact that it was also the administration that had lifted a previous ban to hold religious and cultural events at the square.”

“We had forbidden [the event]. Now we’ve handed the case over to the police,” he said.

Jakarta Tourism Agency head Tinia Budiarti said the administration could not be at fault, because it had not organized the event.

“The event was held by FUI and was neither initiated nor sponsored by the Jakarta administration. Therefore, we are not responsible for any positive or negative impacts caused by the event,” she said.