Health Condition Cited as Reason for Not Detaining Bahar Smith

Jakarta - Bahar bin Smith, a suspect in an alleged assault case against a Banser member in the Cipondoh area of Tangerang City, reportedly filed a request for suspension of detention. The request was granted by police. What was the reason?

Tangerang City Metropolitan Police Chief Comr. Raden Muhammad Jauhari revealed that health reasons supported by medical records were cited. This was taken into consideration for the suspension of Bahar’s detention.

He also dismissed reports that Bahar’s detention was suspended because he was the family’s sole breadwinner.

“Let me set the record straight—the reason is not that he is the sole breadwinner, but that the individual is in a condition of illness. According to his legal counsel, he is ill, and there are medical records showing he was in an accident and is undergoing a recovery period and will need major surgery,” Jauhari explained.

“Considering that physical condition, combined with direct guarantees from family members—his mother and wife—and his legal counsel, the investigators approved the request not to detain him,” he continued.

On the other hand, Jauhari assured that the legal process continues. The case files for Bahar and three other suspects in the case will be completed promptly so they can be transferred to the court as soon as possible.

“The investigation is clearly still ongoing. For the other suspects, the P-19 file requirements have been fulfilled, and the files from Habib Bahar’s examination are also being processed for transfer to the Prosecutor’s Office. This process continues,” he added.

Besides Bahar, police have also named three other individuals as suspects in the same case. Police said two others also received detention suspensions, though the specific reasons have not been detailed.

“If I’m not mistaken, there were suspensions. We’ll look into it further,” said Jakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Chief Comr. Budi Hermanto.

Bahar bin Smith was reported for alleged assault and mob violence against a Banser member during a Prophet’s Birthday celebration in Cipondoh in September 2025, in the Cipondoh area, Tangerang City. Bahar’s designation as a suspect is documented in the investigation progress notification letter (SP2HP) from police report LP/B/1395/IX/2025/SPKT/Polres Metro Tangerang Kota dated September 22, 2025. The suspect designation was made after investigators conducted a case review.

Bahar bin Smith and associates have been charged under Article 365 of the Criminal Code on theft with violence, and/or Article 170 on mob violence, and/or Article 351 on assault, in conjunction with Article 55 on joint participation in criminal acts.

Police revealed Bahar’s role in the mob violence case. Bahar allegedly participated in hitting the victim.

“Based on witness and victim statements, the individual (Bahar) participated in the beating,” said Jakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Chief Comr. Budi Hermanto on Tuesday (3/2).

However, Bahar bin Smith’s legal counsel denied the accusations against his client. He argued that Bahar was actually saving people at the scene.

“Habib Bahar had no role in it. He was actually trying to save people at the time. Someone was trying to attack him, and he was secured by people there. He was brought inside so he wouldn’t be assaulted. But it was uncontrollable because there were so many people,” lawyer Ichwan said when contacted separately.

Police examined Bahar bin Smith as a suspect on Tuesday (10/2) after he was absent from a previous summons. The examination process is still ongoing.

“It is still in the examination process because he only came in yesterday afternoon. We’re still reviewing it—the examination process is still in stages and ongoing,” said Jakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Chief Comr. Budi Hermanto on Wednesday (11/2/2026).

“So we’re giving space to the investigators at Tangerang City Police, including the person currently undergoing examination,” he continued.

Budi said that of the four suspects, only Bahar bin Smith has been examined so far. “Only one, the individual in question, but the other three suspects had already been designated previously,” he said.

Victim Demands Bahar bin Smith Be Detained

Previously, Banser member Rida, the victim of the alleged assault, expressed disappointment that Bahar bin Smith had been named a suspect but had not been detained. He demanded police carry out the detention immediately.

“I am personally very disappointed with the reason that supposedly there is a suspension because he is a breadwinner and a teacher,” Rida told reporters in the Karawaci area, Tangerang City, Banten, on Thursday (12/2/2026).

“I am also a breadwinner. To this day, I have been following this case, and my own finances are still unstable because of pursuing this case. Yet the police give such a reason—I am very disappointed,” he continued.

Rida affirmed he will continue pursuing legal channels. He demanded Bahar bin Smith be detained.

“The case will continue. I hope Bahar will be properly charged, arrested, and imprisoned,” he stated firmly.

Bahar bin Smith’s Apology

Bahar previously appeared and delivered an open apology regarding the alleged assault case against Banser member Rida. He also specifically apologized to GP Ansor, the organization the victim belongs to. He expressed hope that relations among Muslims would be preserved.

“My brothers, as we know, regarding the incident some time ago, together with Haji Arif, Haji Edi, and Pak Dwi, I extend my apology for the incident that befell our brother Pak Rida,” Bahar said in a video statement received by reporters on Wednesday (11/2/2026).

“We also extend our apology to the extended family of GP Ansor, particularly our family at GP Ansor Tangerang, Banten. This incident serves as a lesson for all of us to jointly maintain Islamic brotherhood,” he added.