National Police Chief Orders Severe Punishment for Officer Who Assaulted Student to Death
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has ordered that Maluku Regional Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) member Bripda Masias Siahaya (MS), who assaulted a student identified as AT (14) resulting in death, receive the severest possible punishment.
“I have ordered that the harshest possible action be taken,” he told reporters in Majalengka, West Java, on Monday (23/2).
Sigit confirmed he had instructed the Maluku Regional Police Chief and the Head of the Professional and Security Division (Propam) to thoroughly investigate the case from both criminal and police ethics code perspectives.
The National Police Chief said the aim was to deliver justice for the victim. He added that the entire legal process would be conducted transparently and open to public scrutiny.
“I have ordered the Regional Police Chief and the Head of Propam to take firm action and see the process through to completion. Deliver justice for the victim’s family,” he said.
“I have requested that the information and the process be transparent. I believe the Head of Public Relations will convey the technical details at a specially prepared event,” he added.
Sigit reaffirmed his longstanding commitment regarding all National Police personnel who commit violations. He assured there would be no favouritism towards anyone found to have committed wrongdoing.
Those who violate the rules will face firm sanctions, whilst those who demonstrate outstanding performance will receive commendations or rewards.
“I have long stated that those who perform well will be given rewards, but those who violate the rules will naturally face consequences, as we are all governed by regulations,” he said.
Separately, National Police Brimob Corps Commander Commissioner General Ramdani Hidayat apologised for the assault committed by the Maluku Regional Police Brimob member.
“On behalf of myself personally and the Brimob Corps leadership, I extend our sincerest apologies for the incident and convey our deepest condolences to the family of the late Arianto Tawakkal,” he explained.
Furthermore, Ramdani said his office would continue to evaluate every task carried out by its members, including matters concerning the use of force.
“We will continue to carry out evaluations of every activity in the form of guidance and directives on the use of force and equipment in the context of serving the public,” he concluded.
Tual District Police have named Brimob Company 1, Pioneer Battalion C member Bripda MS as a suspect in the assault that caused AT (14), a student at MTS Negeri Maluku Tenggara (a state Islamic secondary school in Southeast Maluku), to lose his life.
The incident began when a Brimob patrol was conducting a security operation using a tactical vehicle in the Tual City and Southeast Maluku Regency area in the early hours of Thursday (19/2).
The patrol was initially stationed at the Mangga Dua Complex in Langgur until approximately 02:00 Eastern Indonesia 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 members alighted 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 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.
For his actions, MS has been charged under Article 35 in conjunction with Article 14 of the amendment to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection, as well as Article 474 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code.