Indonesian Police Vow Firm Action Against Brimob Officer Who Allegedly Beat Student to Death in Maluku
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) have broken their silence regarding allegations that a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer, First Class Private MS, assaulted a student identified by the initials AT until the boy died in Tual, Maluku. The force has confirmed it will take firm action against the perpetrator in accordance with prevailing regulations.
Polri’s Head of Public Relations, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, said the decisive measures were being taken as a form of institutional accountability and as a deterrent to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Polri is firmly committed to the law enforcement process and the code of ethics regarding the individual personnel involved, in a transparent and accountable manner,” Inspector General Johnny stated in remarks to journalists on Saturday (21 February 2026).
In his statement, Johnny Isir also conveyed the institution’s apology to the victim’s family. He expressed deep condolences over the death of AT.
“Polri extends its apologies for the actions of this individual officer, which were not in line with the values of Tribrata and Catur Prasetya,” he said, referring to the police force’s codes of honour and pledges.
The former West Papua Regional Police Chief expressed full support for the victim’s family. Polri also offered prayers for the deceased and the bereaved.
“Polri continuously prays for and supports the victim’s family, that they may be granted fortitude and strength from God Almighty in facing this tragic incident,” he said.
Alleged Assault
The Brimob officer, First Class Private MS, stationed in Tual, Maluku, is alleged to have assaulted an Islamic junior secondary school (MTs) student identified as AT (aged 14) until the boy died. The suspect was serving in Company 1 of the Pioneer Battalion of the Maluku Regional Police’s Mobile Brigade.
“The suspected perpetrator is a Brimob officer from Company 1, Pioneer Battalion C, First Class Private MS,” said the Head of Public Relations of the Maluku Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Rositah Umasugi, on Friday (20 February).
The alleged assault occurred near the Uningrat University campus in Tual on Thursday (19 February). Rositah said the case was being handled seriously and transparently.
“The Maluku Regional Police reaffirms its commitment to resolving the handling of the incident that occurred near the Uningrat University campus in Tual in a professional, transparent, and just manner,” she explained.
Meanwhile, the Maluku Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Dadang Hartanto, affirmed that the police force has zero tolerance for any form of legal or ethical violation. The handling of the case is being conducted on multiple levels.
“We are handling this case firmly and on multiple levels. The criminal process is under way, and the code of ethics process is also under way. If found guilty, the sanctions will be clear and decisive,” he added.