PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—A joint patrol in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, found 47 children still active outside during restricted nighttime hours on Sunday, August 2. The city is intensifying public education on its child curfew policy.

Personnel from the Pontianak Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) conducted the operation with East Pontianak district officials. The village supervisory officers (Babinsa) from the Indonesian Military (TNI) participated.

The patrol covered cafés, PlayStation gaming venues and popular gathering places across East Pontianak.

Officials recorded the children’s identities and provided counseling rather than relying solely on punitive measures.

The operation implemented Pontianak Mayoral Regulation No. 22/2025. This regulation restricts children under 18 from being outside between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

The city enacted the regulation on May 6, 2025, and continues to enforce it, according to its official legal documentation network. It aims to protect children, reduce their exposure to violence and prevent unsupervised nighttime activity.

Pontianak’s official legal database lists Satpol PP, district heads, village heads and child-protection agencies among the institutions responsible for supervision.

Pontianak Satpol PP Chief Ahmad Sudiyantoro said the latest operation combined implementation of the regulation with preventive child protection.

“Socialization and counseling targeted several locations, including cafés, PlayStation gaming venues and gathering spots across the East Pontianak district,” Ahmad said.

Officers also placed posters explaining the 10 p.m.-to-4 a.m. restrictions at locations visited during the patrol.

Ahmad said successful implementation would require consistent supervision by parents and cooperation from business operators.

“This nighttime restriction is part of our efforts to protect children. The role of parents and business operators is crucial in ensuring that the regulation can be properly implemented,” he said.

The city’s official implementation procedures provide exemptions for children accompanied by a parent or guardian. There are also exemptions for children attending authorized school, religious or social activities, or dealing with emergencies and disasters.

These provisions require officers to consider legitimate circumstances instead of treating every nighttime activity as a violation. Pontianak’s child-protection agency published the procedures in 2025.

The East Pontianak operation follows earlier enforcement elsewhere in the city. On June 3, 2026, Satpol PP found four children aged about 15 to 16 outside after 10 p.m. According to the Pontianak municipal government, they referred these children to the city’s Integrated Child Service Center after registration.

Ahmad said outreach and counseling would continue alongside monitoring.

“Our approach is not limited to enforcement. It also includes education so that children, parents and the wider community understand the purpose of the nighttime restrictions,” he said.

“We hope cooperation among parents, residents and other stakeholders can continue to grow so we can create a safe environment that supports children’s development,” Ahmad added.