Minister Risma Praises the Courage of Ilham, an Elementary School Student Who Wrote to the Police

BANDUNG REGENCY (3 July 2024) – Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini praised the courage of Ilham Ramadhan (8) for his bravery in writing to the police, requesting that they accompany him for the distribution of report cards at the end of the school year. Minister Risma also praised the school's positive environment for delivering Ilham's letter to the police, as well as the police's excellent response, which included agreeing to fulfill Ilham's request and visiting the school during report card delivery.

"The environment here is very positive, both at school and at the police station. This is very good for children's development," said Minister Risma during her visit to Ilham Ramadhan in Bandasari Village, Cangkuang District, Bandung Regency, West Java, on Wednesday afternoon (3/7). Minister Risma had to walk through a narrow alley that could only be accessed on foot to reach Ilham's house. In addition to speaking with Ilham and his mother, Kokom Komala (47), Minister Risma supplied Ilham with various goods, including food, nutritional needs, school supplies, and toys.

The story of Ilham Ramadhan, a second-grade student at SD Negeri Cikuya 1 in Bandung Regency, went viral on social media. Ilham, who had been without his father since he was a child, asked the police for help collecting his report card at the end of the school year. He wrote his request on a piece of paper. The writing was part of a school assignment about each child's hopes and dreams, which was then collected by the teacher. The school then forwarded this letter to the Bandung Police Department.

During the report card distribution, several police officers, led by the Head of Traffic Police of the Bandung Police Department, Commissioner Galih Apria, came to the school and accompanied Ilham to collect his report card. While other children came to school with their parents to receive their report cards, Ilham was accompanied by police officers. A photo of Ilham sitting at his school chair with the police by his side while receiving his report card went viral on social media.

Ilham's mother, Mrs Kokom Komala, informed Minister Risma that Ilham misses his father a lot. Unlike his friends, Ilham never had the chance to interact with his father because his father left the family when Ilham was just four months old. "Whenever Ilham asks where his father is, I always say, 'Your father has passed away,' because I'm upset," said Mrs Kokom, who also has two other children, Livani (22) and Seno (16).

Mrs Kokom supports her three children by selling cakes at schools. She also often works odd jobs as a part-time housemaid or by washing and ironing clothes upon her neighbors' requests. "I do any work as long as I can support my children," said Mrs. Kokom to Minister Risma. During the visit, Minister Risma provided several forms of assistance to support Mrs. Kokom's family economy. With motherly affection, Minister Risma asked Ilham, "What do you want to be when you grow up? A police officer?" Ilham quickly responded, "Yes, ma'am!" while standing in a salute position. Minister Risma smiled, amused by Ilham Ramadhan's cute and charming demeanor.