Behind Labour Activist Ermanto Usman's Death: Family Raises 7 Anomalies

Bekasi – Police arrested the killer of labour activist Ermanto Usman (65).

The perpetrator, named Sudirman (28), was apprehended by the Violent Crime Subdivision (Jatanras) of Metro Jaya Regional Police Criminal Investigation Division together with the City Metro Bekasi Police Criminal Investigation Unit on Monday (9 March 2026) at his rented accommodation in the Cilincing area, North Jakarta.

However, panicking upon being discovered, Sudirman attacked Ermanto and his wife with a crowbar. Ermanto died, whilst his wife remains in critical condition.

Sudirman entered Ermanto’s home by prying open a window using the crowbar.

However, upon entering the house, the bedroom light suddenly switched on because Ermanto’s wife, Pasmilawati (60), woke up due to an alarm reminder for pre-dawn meal preparation.

Pasmilawati was startled to see Sudirman’s presence. The perpetrator panicked and struck Pasmilawati’s head with the crowbar.

Ermanto awoke and was immediately attacked by Sudirman on the head until he died.

The crowbar used for the crime was taken by the perpetrator from a flower shop in the Kalimalang area several days before the incident.

Sudirman then fled whilst carrying several items belonging to the victim.

The items taken included two mobile phones, one laptop, several pieces of jewellery, and a bag containing the victim’s belongings.

According to investigators, Sudirman is a specialist burglar who frequently operates in the Bekasi area.

“So looking at the background of very pressing economic need that drove him to commit these acts,” said Iman, a police officer.

According to police, Sudirman had previously committed thefts at residential homes and business premises several times.

However, he typically fled immediately when his crimes were discovered.

During interrogation, Sudirman admitted to selecting Ermanto’s house at random.

He considered Ermanto’s house to be the largest in the area and therefore suspected it contained many valuable items.

Items the perpetrator had previously taken from other victims’ homes varied, ranging from mobile phones and laptops to cigarettes from a small shop.

Iman stressed that so far investigators have found no evidence pointing to any motive other than theft.

This includes suspicions of any connection to the victim’s activities as a labour rights activist.

“We found no evidence pointing in that direction. The motive was purely theft,” he said.