The Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry confirmed that ZPA and WH, two state civil servants, who raped a ministry’s employee at the end of 2019, had been fired.

“We have decided to impose disciplinary sanctions in the form of dismissal for the perpetrators of sexual violence,” Cooperatives and SMEs Minister Teten Masduki remarked here on Monday.

Masduki said he would also impose sanctions on EW, another state civil servant, by demoting the person for the year. Moreover, the work contract of MM, an honorary worker, who was also one of the perpetrators, was terminated.

The ministry took the decision after coordinating with the State Civil Service Agency (BKN), Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry, and State Civil Apparatus Commission (KASN), as well as taking into account the results of an independent fact-finding team investigating sexual violence and rape.

At the press conference, Masduki detailed four reasons for the long overdue resolution of the case. First, there was an order to stop the investigation (SP3), while secondly, efforts to reconcile between the perpetrator and victim, and thirdly, a marriage took place between one of the perpetrators and the victim, and lastly, close kinship within the ministry’s scope.

“These were the reasons found by an independent team as to why the resolution of this case can be long overdue,” he remarked.

In addition, the ministry cancelled ZPA’s scholarship to the National Development Planning Ministry.

“In principle, we do not tolerate sexual violence in any form,” he reiterated.

Masduki emphasized that strict action would be taken against any person involved in this case. Moreover, the perpetrator’s actions have stained the name of the relevant ministries.

Source: Antara News