Commission on Human Rights Urges Transparent and Intervention-Free Criminal Process for Bripda MS

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged that the criminal proceedings against Brimob Polda Maluku member Bripda Masias Siahaya (MS), the perpetrator of assault against a student with initials AT (14) who died as a result, be carried out in a transparent and intervention-free manner.

“A transparent, independent criminal process free from intervention,” stated Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation Saurlin P. Siagian in a statement on Wednesday (25 February).

Saurlin urged against any structural intervention or institutional protection for the perpetrator.

Additionally, Saurlin called for comprehensive rehabilitation of the victim’s family, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, and fulfilment of the right to truth.

“Evaluation and reform of policies regarding the use of force by law enforcement, particularly in the handling of children in accordance with child protection legislation, in order to prevent similar incidents from recurring,” he said.

The Tual Police Station has named Bripda MS, a member of Brimob Company 1 Battalion C Pelopor, as a suspect in the assault that resulted in the death of AT (14), a student of MTS Negeri Southeast Maluku.

The incident began when Brimob patrols conducted security operations using tactical vehicles in the Tual City and Southeast Maluku Regency areas on Thursday (19 February) in the early morning hours.

The patrol was initially stationed at the Mangga Dua Complex in Langgur until approximately 02:00 WIT, then moved to Fiditan Village, Tual City, after receiving a report from residents concerning an alleged beating near the Tete Pancing area.

Upon arrival at the location, the suspect and several officers exited the vehicle and conducted a security sweep. Approximately 10 minutes later, two motorcycles travelled at high speed from the direction of Ngadi towards Tete Pancing.

The suspect is said to have swung a tactical helmet as a signal. However, the helmet struck the right temple of victim AT (14), causing the victim to fall from the motorcycle in a prone position.

The victim was then taken to RSUD Karel Sadsuitubun Langgur for medical treatment. However, at 13:00 WIT, the victim was pronounced dead.

For his actions, MS has been charged under Article 35 in conjunction with Article 14 of the amendment to Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection and Article 474 Paragraph 3 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.