Police in South Jakarta, Indonesia, seized 995 airsoft guns and one live firearm from a school run by the Harapan Ibu Islamic School Foundation. Authorities also found narcotics and 25 pornographic CDs at the private school.
The Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Police confirmed that South Jakarta police seized 996 weapons from the school. The cache of weapons included 995 air guns and one Franchi SPAS15 12-gauge shotgun belonging to a man who died in 2020, according to South Jakarta police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto.
The 995 air guns consisted of four rifles, 215 pistols, and 776 revolvers, all with a 4.5mm caliber. Board member Untung Sangaji stated that the airsoft guns were classified as weapons because “airsoft guns can kill because the bullets are plain and there is no groove”.
Former chair questioned
The weapons, narcotics, and CDs were found in a room allegedly used by the former chair of the Harapan Ibu Islamic School Foundation, identified by the initials IWD or IW, during a clear-out by the school's new management. The former chair of the foundation had been dismissed amid allegations of misuse of foundation funds.
The former chair of the foundation, despite being dismissed in April, reportedly still had possession of keys to the room where the items were found. The former chair of the Harapan Ibu Islamic School Foundation, identified as IWD or IW, has been called in for questioning by police.
Official response
Indonesian Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi urged authorities and the public to protect students following the discovery. Minister Arifah Fauzi said, “Children must not bear the burden of an issue that is beyond their responsibility”.
The discovery took place at a school complex in Pondok Pinang, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, Indonesia.
