Ben Kasyafani on Sienna Removing Her Hijab: Always Sharing with Marshanda About Children

"Wow, when he asks, he really asks the right questions. There must be something. Definitely. Maybe it's the responsibility as a parent, right? Yes, it's indeed a place for us parents to feel disappointed, a place for struggles, a place for hard work," said Ben Kasyafani when met in Pondok Bambu, East Jakarta, Sunday (4/5/2026).

"Maybe right now is a place where Allah gives me the opportunity to improve myself and do good deeds. The essence of the reward is that we are striving," he continued.

Ben felt a sense of worry when Sienna started to become the focus of public attention. He realized that Sienna's status as a child of a public figure made her vulnerable to sharp criticism. Ben's concern was not just about appearance, but more about how the child’s mental health would cope with the arising controversies.

"Then it started to get crowded, many people were talking, I was also a bit nervous. Nervous means this, when dressed nicely people are okay, but when not, suddenly the name is a thirteen-year-old child, thirteen years old, right, they are in a transition phase to being a girl. Then this one is afraid it will just become a polemic. But luckily it’s not too much. Everyone is giving support," said Ben Kasyafani.

Ben emphasized that he does not want to be an authoritarian parent who can only give instructions without wanting to listen to his child's complaints. For him, maintaining Sienna's trust so that she is willing to share her stories is a priority that is far more important for her future.

"Sometimes we become the parents, then the child worries they feel pressured and ultimately they do not want to share anymore. I have finally chosen to be her closest friend now to listen to Sienna's complaints," he said.

"But now the times have changed. It's not that I want to be a weak parent and just follow my child, no. But sometimes there comes an age where we have to decide whether we want to be a parent or a friend instead," added Ben Kasyafani.

In facing this situation, Ben maintains very intense communication with Marshanda. They both agree to support each other and provide the best support for Sienna without blaming one another for the dynamics that occur in their daughter's life.

"Always, always, whatever happens we always share with Caca. We always have very intense discussions during the times that need to be discussed. There are no boundaries. None at all. Caca and I communicate very well. She is very supportive of one another. So everything is purely about Sienna, not about the parents," concluded Ben Kasyafani.