Bripda AS to Face Ethical and Criminal Proceedings Following Bintara's Death, Three Other Members to Be Questioned

Batam, VIVA – The case of the death of Bripda Natanael Simanungkalit in Kepulauan Riau continues to unfold. The latest development sees three other police officers who were at the scene now being questioned, while one member suspected as the main perpetrator will face strict proceedings up to the criminal realm.

The Riau Islands Police Chief, Inspector General of Police Asep Safrudin, has assured that this case is being handled without compromise. He emphasised that, in addition to the one member already secured as the suspected main perpetrator, the three other members are also being examined because they were at the scene of the incident.

“At present, one police member has been secured and is suspected as the main perpetrator. In addition, three other members have been secured to undergo further questioning because they were at the location of the incident,” he said on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

This case stems from an incident that occurred on Monday night, 13 April 2026, around 23:50 WIB. Bripda Natanael, who is a personnel from the Youth Non-Commissioned Officer unit of the Riau Islands Police, is suspected to have been a victim of violence by fellow members.

He was subsequently declared dead at 01:00 WIB at Bhayangkara Hospital in Batam. The Riau Islands Police Chief also expressed deep condolences over the incident.

“First of all, we extend our deepest condolences. This is a sorrow for all of us in the Riau Islands Police ranks,” said Asep.

To thoroughly investigate this case, Asep has ordered the Head of the Professional and Security Division of the Riau Islands Police, Commissioner General of Police Eddwi Kurniyanto, to conduct a comprehensive examination of all parties involved.

Not only through the ethical process, the Police Chief emphasised that this case will also be taken to the criminal realm by the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Islands Police. He assured that there will be no tolerance for members proven to have violated the law.

“We will process this case firmly and thoroughly, both through the criminal route and the code of ethics. Severe sanctions, including Dishonourable Discharge (PTDH), will be imposed if proven. There will be no cover-ups in handling this case,” he stated.

In an effort to uncover the cause of death objectively, the Riau Islands Police has involved an independent team, including forensic doctors from the Indonesian Forensic Doctors Association as well as a forensic team from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia.