Habiburokhman on Crew Member Facing Death Penalty in Two-Tonne Methamphetamine Case: He Is Not the Main Perpetrator

Jakarta — The Chairman of House of Representatives Commission III, Habiburokhman, has called on the Batam District Court to reconsider the death sentence sought against crew member Fandi Ramadhan, who faces capital punishment in connection with the smuggling of approximately two tonnes of methamphetamine in Riau Islands (Kepri) waters.

Habiburokhman explained that he had received information indicating Fandi Ramadhan was not the main perpetrator. Moreover, the defendant has no prior criminal record.

“We have received information making clear that Fandi Ramadhan is not the main perpetrator, has no history of criminal offences, and had attempted to warn others about the potential for criminal activity,” Habiburokhman said during a hearing at the Commission III meeting room in the Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday, 23 February 2026.

At the hearing, Habiburokhman urged the panel of judges at the Batam District Court to recognise that the new Criminal Code (KUHP) no longer adheres to a retributive justice paradigm, which treats the law merely as an instrument of punishment.

“Instead, it has shifted towards substantive justice, rehabilitative justice, and restorative justice — the law as a tool for societal improvement,” he added.

Commission III also reminded the panel of judges at the Batam District Court that the concept of the death penalty under the new Criminal Code differs markedly from its predecessor.

“Under Article 98 of the new Criminal Code, the death penalty is no longer a principal sentence but rather a final alternative punishment that should be applied with the utmost strictness and selectivity,” he said.

“Commission III reminds law enforcement authorities, including the panel of judges in the Fandi Ramadhan case at the Batam District Court, that Article 54 Paragraph 1 of the new Criminal Code stipulates that in sentencing, the court must consider, among other factors, the nature of the offender’s culpability, their inner disposition, and their life history,” Habiburokhman concluded.