Metro Police: Handling of Printing Press Employee Confinement Case Follows Procedure

The Metro Jaya Regional Police have emphasised that the handling of the alleged case involving the confinement, extortion, and physical assault of three employees of ‘Mau Print’ printing company in Bungur, Senen, Central Jakarta, is being carried out in accordance with legal procedures.

Head of Public Relations for Metro Jaya Regional Police, Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, stated at the Central Jakarta Metro Police Station on Tuesday that the case is being handled professionally, proportionally, transparently, and accountably. He noted that this briefing was intended to provide the public with information regarding the investigation being conducted by the Central Jakarta Metro Police with support from the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of the Metro Jaya Regional Police.

Budi explained that the case originated from a public report made via the 110 call centre. The report was promptly followed up by the Central Jakarta Metro Police, leading officers to discover the victims, who were allegedly being held in confinement.

According to Budi, the police are not accusing the three victims of theft. Allegations regarding missing items at the printing house, as claimed by the suspects, must still be proven through further investigative processes.

“We are not stating or accusing these three victims of committing theft. Investigators will delve deeper to determine whether it is true or not. We are investigating why the matter was not reported to the police, and why instead, the confinement and deprivation of liberty occurred, followed by demands for money from the victims’ families,” he said.

Furthermore, Biente mentioned that the motive behind the case is still being investigated by detectives. He emphasised that the initial statements from the suspects do not immediately constitute a conclusion but must be tested against facts and valid evidence. He expressed hope that information regarding this case would not become biased or misleading.

During the briefing, the Head of Public Relations also invited the public and the media to monitor the handling of this case objectively. He also urged the public to utilise the 110 call centre service if they become aware of or experience incidents requiring police intervention.

Central Jakarta Metro Police revealed that the motive behind the confinement and assault of the three printing employees was triggered by allegations of the theft of printing iron plates valued at approximately Rp230 million.

Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Kombes Pol Reynold E.P. Hutagalung, explained that the printing business owner, along with several other perpetrators, claimed the victims must be held responsible for the loss of the company’s assets.

“Their alibi is that these three printing employees are the perpetrators who lost or allegedly stole iron plates used as bases for screen printing. According to the perpetrators’ calculations, the value of the goods is approximately Rp230 million,” Reynold stated during a press conference at the Central Jakarta Metro Police Station on Monday.