Brimob Officer Beats Madrasah Student to Death; Coordinating Minister Yusril: Truly Beyond the Bounds of Humanity
Jakarta, VIVA – Bripda MS, a member of the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) alleged to have beaten a child to death in Tual, Maluku, must face an ethics tribunal and be tried in criminal court. There is no tolerance for offences committed by members of the Indonesian National Police.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra expressed deep concern over the death of the victim, AT (14), in the incident. He deeply regretted the event that claimed the life of the madrasah tsanawiyah (Islamic junior secondary school) student.
"In principle, in this state governed by law, no one is above the law. Law enforcement officers must also be punished if they break the law," Yusril said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
"Personally and in my capacity as Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, who also serves as a member of the Police Reform Committee, I am deeply concerned and regret that this incident occurred. I convey my deepest condolences over the passing of AT," he said.
Yusril emphasised that MS's actions had exceeded the bounds of humanity. The police, he stressed, are state apparatus and law enforcers obligated to protect every life, whether that of a suspected criminal or a crime victim.
"If a rogue police officer assaults someone, especially a child who is not even suspected of wrongdoing, then such an act is truly beyond the bounds of humanity," he said.
He also commended the Maluku Regional Police and National Police Headquarters for, in his view, responding swiftly to the case. He noted that National Police Headquarters' apology over the incident demonstrated a shift towards a more humble attitude.
Furthermore, Yusril said the local district police had also taken swift action by detaining Bripda MS and examining and declaring him a suspect.
He further stressed that the Police Reform Acceleration Committee continues to discuss improvements to the police force's image, encompassing recruitment patterns, education, discipline and oversight.
"The Committee is now finalising its final report on the key ideas for police reform to be submitted to the President," he said.
The Tual District Police in Maluku have named the Brimob officer identified by the initials MS as a suspect in the alleged assault that resulted in the death of a child identified as AT (14).
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra expressed deep concern over the death of the victim, AT (14), in the incident. He deeply regretted the event that claimed the life of the madrasah tsanawiyah (Islamic junior secondary school) student.
"In principle, in this state governed by law, no one is above the law. Law enforcement officers must also be punished if they break the law," Yusril said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
"Personally and in my capacity as Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, who also serves as a member of the Police Reform Committee, I am deeply concerned and regret that this incident occurred. I convey my deepest condolences over the passing of AT," he said.
Yusril emphasised that MS's actions had exceeded the bounds of humanity. The police, he stressed, are state apparatus and law enforcers obligated to protect every life, whether that of a suspected criminal or a crime victim.
"If a rogue police officer assaults someone, especially a child who is not even suspected of wrongdoing, then such an act is truly beyond the bounds of humanity," he said.
He also commended the Maluku Regional Police and National Police Headquarters for, in his view, responding swiftly to the case. He noted that National Police Headquarters' apology over the incident demonstrated a shift towards a more humble attitude.
Furthermore, Yusril said the local district police had also taken swift action by detaining Bripda MS and examining and declaring him a suspect.
He further stressed that the Police Reform Acceleration Committee continues to discuss improvements to the police force's image, encompassing recruitment patterns, education, discipline and oversight.
"The Committee is now finalising its final report on the key ideas for police reform to be submitted to the President," he said.
The Tual District Police in Maluku have named the Brimob officer identified by the initials MS as a suspect in the alleged assault that resulted in the death of a child identified as AT (14).