Parliament Pressures for Transparent Legal Process in ABK's 2-Tonne Methamphetamine Case
Parliamentary Commission III member Hasbiallah Ilyas has emphasised the importance of transparency and professionalism in legal proceedings against Fandi Ramadhan, a ship’s crew member (ABK) currently facing capital punishment on suspicion of smuggling 2 tonnes of methamphetamine.
Hasbiallah warned that law enforcement in this major case must not be tainted by non-procedural practices. “We demand that there be no manipulation by law enforcement officials in this case,” he stated firmly in Jakarta on Friday, 27 February.
The legislator, from the faction overseeing legal matters, has called for relevant law enforcement officials to be summoned to Parliament’s Senayan building to provide public explanations and ensure compliance with the principle of due process of law. Given the capital punishment threat facing the accused, Hasbiallah believes the state is obligated to guarantee that investigation and trial proceedings run objectively and free from attempted criminalisation.
“We want to ensure there is no procedural violation and no fabrication. If indeed guilty, they must be processed according to law. But if there are irregularities, the state must be present to clarify,” he stated.
Whilst fully supporting uncompromising drug eradication efforts, Hasbiallah cautioned that every law enforcement step must remain within applicable legal boundaries and align with the spirit of the new Criminal Code. He argued that justice cannot be sacrificed merely to pursue law enforcement targets. “Transparency is crucial because this case concerns very serious legal and humanitarian consequences. Law enforcement must not undermine justice itself,” he added.
Previously, Batam State Prosecutor’s Office had sought capital punishment for six defendants in the case involving the smuggling of nearly 2 tonnes of methamphetamine using the Sea Dragon vessel in Riau Islands waters. The six defendants comprise two Thai nationals—Weerepat Phongwan (alias Mr Pong) and Teerapong Lekpradube—and four Indonesian nationals: Fandi Ramadhan, Richard Halomoan, Leo Candra Samosir, and Hasiholan Samosir.
In proceedings, public prosecutor Gutirio Kurniawan revealed that 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses had been examined. Confiscated evidence totalled a net weight of 1,995,139 grammes (nearly 2 tonnes), packaged in dozens of boxes containing Chinese tea bundles.
“As public prosecutors in this case, we conclude that the defendants have been proven lawfully and convincingly to have committed the unlawful act of possession and trafficking, as regulated in Article 114 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 132 paragraph (1) of Law Number 35 of 2009,” stated Gutirio.
The prosecutor assessed that the defendants’ actions did not support the government’s drug eradication programme, damaged the nation’s generation, and were proven to be involved in an international drug network.
Deputy Minister for Human Rights Mugiyanto Sipin has reaffirmed Indonesia’s rejection of capital punishment, framing the issue within the framework of the right to life and contending that life imprisonment is sufficient as maximum punishment.
The Judicial Commission (KY) has stated it is ready to monitor the trial proceedings concerning the alleged smuggling of 2 tonnes of methamphetamine, in which a Riau Islands crew member faces capital punishment.
Commission XIII chair Willy Aditya has criticised the death sentence demand against Fandi Ramadhan regarding the 2-tonne methamphetamine smuggling case in Tanjung Balai Karimun waters.
The prosecutor based the death sentence demand on Fandi being found guilty of failing to refuse or inspect the vessel’s cargo, which contained methamphetamine.
Commission III chair Habiburokhman reminded Batam District Court that capital punishment is an alternative sentence under the new Criminal Code, regarding the death sentence demand for the methamphetamine crew member.
Commission III member Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi emphasised the importance of pursuing intellectual actors behind the 2-tonne drug smuggling operation aboard the Sea Dragon vessel.