Batam Drug Trial: Fandi Ramadhan Faces Death Penalty in 2-Tonne Meth Case

Young Indonesian seafarer pleads innocence as lawmakers urge judicial restraint A 26-year-old maritime graduate who once dreamed of lifting his family out of hardship now stands at the center of one of Indonesia’s largest drug smuggling trials. From Maritime Graduate to Death Row Defendant Fandi Ramadhan, 26, has become a national talking point after being charged in connection with the attempted smuggling of nearly two tons of methamphetamine seized in the Riau Islands waters. The vessel where he worked as a crew member was intercepted by Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency. Authorities reported that 1,995,130 grams of meth were confiscated, marking one of the country’s largest drug seizures. Once described as a village boy with big ambitions, Fandi graduated from the Malahayati Maritime Academy in Aceh in 2022. After a year of unemployment, he worked at Pangkalan Susu Port in North Sumatra, later moving to Pekanbaru. Two years into his maritime career, he accepted an offer to join a foreign-flagged vessel registered in the Philippines. He said his only goal was to support his parents and finance his siblings’ education. That decision now defines his fate. Prosecutors at the Batam District Court have demanded the death penalty. Viral Case Sparks Public and Political Attention The case gained nationwide traction after Fandi’s mother, Nirwana, publicly appealed to President Prabowo Subianto to consider her son’s claim of innocence. The emotional plea spread across social media platforms, drawing widespread sympathy. Prominent lawyer Hotman Paris reportedly dispatched his team to contact the family and fly Nirwana to Jakarta. Influencer Ferry Irwandi also voiced concern to his millions of followers, amplifying public scrutiny of the case. The attention soon reached Indonesia’s House of Representatives. Commission III of the DPR RI discussed the matter ahead of Fandi’s defense hearing scheduled for February 23, 2026, at the Batam District Court. Lawmakers Cite New Criminal Code Principles Commission III reminded law enforcement and the judicial panel that Indonesia’s new Criminal Code no longer prioritizes retributive justice. Instead, it emphasizes substantive, rehabilitative, and restorative justice. Under Article 98 of the revised code, the death penalty is no longer categorized as a primary punishment but as a last-resort alternative, to be applied strictly and selectively. Lawmakers also highlighted Article 54 paragraph (1), which requires judges to consider: – The form of the defendant’s culpability – The defendant’s intent and personal history The commission stated that the results of their special meeting would be formally communicated to parliamentary leadership and the Batam court. “I Only Ask for Justice” During his defense statement, Fandi held four handwritten pages as his voice trembled before the judges. Wearing a prosecution detainee shirt marked with number 58, he firmly denied any involvement in narcotics trafficking. “I have no motive or illegal activity in storing narcotics,” he told the court. He insisted he had never previously faced legal trouble and denied receiving payment related to the alleged smuggling. The money referenced during the investigation, he claimed, was merely a crew loan. Swearing under oath, Fandi stated he was unaware of the ship’s cargo. “By God, I did not know about this forbidden item. I would rather go hungry than enter a dark circle,” he said. As the eldest of six siblings, he emphasized the responsibility he carried for his family and pleaded for acquittal. “I only ask for justice in my own country,” he concluded, as quiet sobs were heard in the courtroom. Trial Continues The proceedings remain ongoing, with prosecutors set to respond to the defense plea. The case has reignited debate over the application of capital punishment in Indonesia, particularly under the newly revised Criminal Code framework. Fandi Ramadhan’s trial has evolved beyond a single criminal proceeding. It now tests Indonesia’s commitment to reforming its justice system under the new Criminal Code. The outcome will resonate across legal circles in Indonesia and neighboring Singapore, where cross-border maritime security and narcotics trafficking remain critical regional concerns. Sources: Tribun News (2026) , Tribun News (2026) Keywords: Fandi Ramadhan, Batam District Court, Two Ton Meth, Indonesian Criminal Code, Commission III DPR