Expert: Hercules is Not Above the Law, Regional Police Chief's Firmness Now Being Tested
Forensic psychology expert Reza Indragiri assesses that the assumption that Hercules and the Indonesian United People’s Movement (GRIB) are above the law does not fully align with the facts. According to him, his track record shows that Hercules has been processed and sentenced to criminal penalties several times. Reza noted that in 2006, Hercules was sentenced to two months in prison for committing public violence against a journalist at the Indopos office. That case occurred during the tenure of Jakarta Regional Police Chief Firman Gani.
In 2013, Hercules was again sentenced to four months in prison in a case involving confrontation with authorities, while the Jakarta Regional Police was led by Chief Putut Eko Bayu Seno. A year later, Hercules was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of Rp50 million after being proven to have committed extortion and money laundering during the tenure of Chief Dwi Prayitno.
Subsequently, in 2019, Hercules was sentenced to eight months in prison for the criminal act of unlawfully forcing entry into a private property. At that time, the Jakarta Regional Police was led by Gatot Eddy Pramono. “People say Hercules and GRIB are above the law. I see that the facts are not so,” said Reza.
However, Reza observes a difference this year. Hercules has come under legal scrutiny regarding three specific incidents involving Ilma Sani Fitroliana, Bambang Setiawan, and Fatur.
According to Reza, the legal handling of these three incidents remains unclear. All three occurred during the tenure of Jakarta Regional Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri. “The legal handling of these three incidents is still shrouded in darkness. And this is happening during the tenure of Chief Asep Edi Suheri,” he stated.
Reza believes that the character and firmness of a Regional Police Chief can determine how the state responds to matters involving Hercules. “Therefore, it seems the idiosyncratic factor of the Police Chief determines how the state will respond to Hercules regarding these three incidents,” he said.
Consequently, Reza requested that the Jakarta Regional Police Chief demonstrate authority and firmness in handling these cases. If unable to do so, he suggested that the leadership of the Jakarta Regional Police should be evaluated.
“If the current Police Chief is unable to demonstrate authority and firmness, then he should be replaced,” he asserted.
Reza also highlighted the Jakarta Regional Police’s plan to form a ‘Thug Hunter Team’ or similar unit. In his view, the existence of such a team would be meaningless if law enforcement against cases involving specific groups or individuals is not carried out firmly.
“Even though the Jakarta Regional Police has announced the formation of a Thug Hunter Team or similar for several months now, it feels as though such a team would be of no use,” he remarked.
On the other hand, Reza stated that Hercules also has an interest in providing an explanation regarding the three incidents that have brought him into the spotlight. However, such clarification must be conducted through legal mechanisms, rather than mere media statements.
“Hercules certainly has an interest in explaining to the public: whether he must be held responsible for these three incidents or if it is actually another party,” he explained.
Therefore, the Jakarta Regional Police is deemed to need to accommodate this interest by conducting the legal process in a procedural, proportional, and professional manner, including initiating requests for clarification from Hercules.
Reza also opened the possibility of evaluating the existence of GRIB. He noted that the state has previously taken steps other than criminal prosecution against organisations deemed problematic.
He cited the dissolution of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) through a joint decree. The consideration for dissolution, he said, related to mass organisations deemed to be a source of social unrest and horizontal conflict. “Therefore, let the relevant ministries and state institutions review whether it is necessary to dissolve GRIB,” he said.
According to Reza, one reference for evaluation could refer to the statements made by Prabowo Subianto before assuming the Presidency. At that time, Prabowo expressed his belief that GRIB could create change by improving service and comfort, rather than like certain mass organisations that spread threats and fear. “After assuming the Presidency, I hope Prabowo’s statement remains valid,” Reza concluded.