House of Representatives Demands Criminal Prosecution Over Brutal Police Officer's Assault That Killed Child

Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives Rudianto Lallo has declared that the assault carried out by a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer identified as First Class Private (Bripda) MS against a child identified as AT (14), resulting in the victim’s death, constitutes a brutal act.

He stated that Bripda MS’s actions have severely tarnished the reputation of the National Police’s Mobile Brigade Corps. He therefore urged that criminal accountability must be pursued.

“It should not merely be an ethical sanction — an ethical sanction that may result in dishonourable discharge — but following the discharge, there must be criminal accountability because a child has lost their life, and this incident has deeply wounded the sense of justice,” said Rudianto when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday.

He stated that Bripda MS must be prosecuted through the general courts. According to him, no party should tolerate such actions, as state apparatus are meant to protect, guide, and serve the people — not the opposite, as demonstrated by Bripda MS.

“Firm action must be taken against the individual concerned to prevent such incomprehensible incidents from recurring. Whatever the reason, taking a life and committing violence cannot be justified in any way whatsoever. That is our hope,” he said.

According to the chronology provided by the police, the incident began when a Brimob patrol was conducting a security operation using tactical vehicles in the areas of Tual City and Southeast Maluku Regency in the early hours of Thursday (19 February).

The patrol was initially stationed at the Mangga Dua Complex in Langgur until approximately 02:00 Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT), before moving to Fiditan Village in Tual City after receiving a report from residents regarding an alleged assault near the Tete Pancing area.

Upon arriving at the location, the suspect and several other officers disembarked from the vehicle to secure the area. Approximately 10 minutes later, two motorcycles were travelling at high speed from the direction of Ngadi towards Tete Pancing.

The suspect reportedly swung a tactical helmet as a signal. However, the helmet struck the right temple of the victim, AT (14), causing the victim to fall from the motorcycle face down.

The victim was rushed to Karel Sadsuitubun Regional General Hospital in Langgur for medical treatment. However, at 13:00 WIT, the victim was pronounced dead.