National Police Chief Speaks Out on Brimob Officer Who Beat Student to Death in Maluku
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has expressed his anger over the fatal assault carried out by a Maluku Regional Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officer identified by the initials Bripda MS against a 14-year-old student identified as AT.
“Just like the victim’s family and the public, I am furious upon hearing that this incident occurred. This clearly tarnishes the dignity of the Brimob institution, which should be protecting the public,” Sigit told reporters on Monday (23 February).
Sigit ordered his subordinates to thoroughly investigate the assault and impose a fitting punishment.
“I have ordered that the case be investigated thoroughly and that commensurate punishment be ensured for the perpetrator, upholding justice for the victim’s family,” he said.
Sigit also conveyed his deep condolences to the victim’s family and the wider community over the incident.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the entire family of the victim and the community over this incident,” he added.
Tual Police have named Bripda MS, a member of Brimob Company 1 Battalion C Pelopor, as a suspect in the assault that caused the death of AT (14), a student at MTS Negeri Maluku Tenggara.
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 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 dismounted from the vehicle and carried out security measures. Approximately 10 minutes later, two motorcycles were seen travelling at high speed from the direction of Ngadi towards Tete Pancing.
The suspect reportedly swung a tactical helmet as a signal. The helmet struck the right temple of the victim, AT (14), causing him to fall from his motorcycle face down.
The victim was rushed to Karel Sadsuitubun Regional 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 amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 on Child Protection, as well as Article 474 paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code.