Latest Police Update on Richard Lee's Detention
The Metro Jaya Police have detained Doctor Richard Lee over alleged violations of consumer protection laws as well as cosmetics and skincare product regulations. The police said Richard Lee’s rights are being upheld.
The case against Richard Lee began with a report from a detective doctor on 2 December 2024, with report number LP/B/7317/XII/2024/SPKT at Polda Metro Jaya. Richard Lee was subsequently named a suspect on 15 December last year.
In January 2026, Richard Lee filed a pretrial application challenging the police’s decision to name him a suspect. The challenge was registered with the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel). Judge Esthar Oktavi of the South Jakarta District Court subsequently ruled that the pretrial request could not be granted.
“The pretrial application of the Applicant is rejected. The case costs are charged to the state, which are nil in amount,” said the presiding judge Esthar Oktavi in the ruling at PN Jakarta Selatan.
Detention of Richard Lee
The police later detained Richard Lee (DRL) for allegedly obstructing the investigation in the case of consumer protection and cosmetics products and skincare. “The suspect DRL was detained at 21:50 WIB at the Metro Jaya Police Custody Center,” said Public Relations Head Budi Hermanto, on Friday (6/3/2026).
On Friday, he was questioned for four hours from 13:00 to 17:00 WIB. He faced 29 questions.
“Prior to the detention, the health check by the Metro Jaya Police Medical Unit included blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature, all normal, and he was able to carry out daily activities as usual,” he added.
Rights of Richard Lee Are Upheld
The Metro Jaya Police have detained the suspect in the alleged breach of consumer protection and cosmetics product regulations, but police say Richard Lee’s rights are being fulfilled. “During the detention period, his rights remain protected as they would for any other suspect undergoing detention, including the right to observe fasting and sahur,” said Public Relations Head Kombes Budi Hermanto in Jakarta, cited by Antara on Sunday (8/3/2026).
Budi also noted that there has been no request for a suspension of detention. He said the suspect is currently held alongside other detainees at the Metro Jaya Police Custody.
“There has been no submission of a detention suspension made through his legal representative,” he said.
Richard Lee Absent from Examination but Live on TikTok
The Metro Jaya Police assess Richard Lee as having hindered the investigative process. They disclosed that Lee did not attend a further examination.
“Based on the assessment of the suspect DRL
s actions which were considered to obstruct the investigation, among other things: the suspect failed to attend an additional examination on 3 March 2026 without providing a clear statement. On that day, the suspect was observed doing a live on his TikTok account,” said Public Relations Head Budi Hermanto to reporters on Friday (6/3).
Another reason cited by the police for detaining Richard Lee is that he repeatedly failed to report on schedule without a clear reason. Accordingly, the police ultimately detained Richard Lee at 21:50 at the Metro Jaya Police Custody Center.”