DPR member says Batam District Court has laid bare the facts in ABK ruling

Jakarta – A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Commission III, Bimantoro Wiyono, said the Batam District Court in Kepulauan Riau (Kepri) had clearly revealed the legal facts in the narcotics case involving the Sea Dragon Terawa crew member Fandi Ramadhan, who received a five-year prison sentence, sparing him from the death penalty sought by prosecutors. He noted that the judges demonstrated independence and courage in evaluating the trial facts objectively and expressed appreciation for the verdict. ‘I commend Batam District Court and the panel of judges for openly revealing the legal facts in the proceedings so that the veil of justice can be lifted,’ Bimantoro told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday. He stressed that the state must remain firm in countering narcotics, which pose a serious threat to the nation’s younger generation. However, enforcement of the law must also uphold justice by carefully considering the role and level of involvement of individuals in a case. ‘The war on drugs must remain a priority. But law enforcement must also assess proportionally the position and role of individuals to ensure true justice,’ he said. He also hoped the ruling would serve as an example that the judiciary remains the last bulwark of justice and that Indonesia’s legal process operates independently and on the basis of trial facts. The Batam District Court’s panel in Kepri handed down a five-year prison sentence for the crew member, Fandi Ramadhan, in the narcotics smuggling case involving methamphetamine weighing almost two tonnes. ‘The defendant is sentenced to five years’ imprisonment,’ said the presiding judge, Tiwik, on Thursday. The verdict is lighter than the death penalty demanded by the State Prosecutor’s Office of Batam, which had sought capital punishment for six defendants in the case, including Fandi Ramadhan. The panel’s decision took into account the prosecution’s requests as well as the defence’s arguments, testimonies from witnesses and experts, and the evidence, including 67 brown cardboard boxes wrapped in clear plastic.