Prosecutor Apologises for Seeking Death Penalty for Seafarer Fandi: Found Guilty and Sentenced

Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) held a hearing session with the Batam State Prosecutor’s Office (Kejari). Prosecutor Muhammad Arfian apologised for having sought the death penalty for Fandi Ramadhan, a seafarer from Medan implicated in a methamphetamine smuggling case involving 1.9 tonnes of the drug.

“I, Prosecutor Muhammad Arfian, wish to convey my sincerest and deepest apology regarding the error I made during the previous trial,” said Arfian at the Commission III DPR hearing on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Arfian stated that he had received disciplinary sanctions from the Deputy Attorney General for Oversight (Jamwas). He noted that this would serve as material for evaluation.

“Subsequently, we have been investigated and found guilty by Jamwas and have already been given or imposed disciplinary punishment,” he said.

Arfian reiterated his apology regarding Fandi’s trial. He thanked the leadership of Commission III DPR for their correction and attention.

“Once again, we apologise for our error during the previous trial, and we thank the leadership of Commission III DPR for their correction and attention towards us, which will serve as material for our own correction,” he said.

In response to the prosecutor’s apology, Commission III DPR Chairman Habiburokhman also pardoned the prosecutor for the death sentence demand previously given to Fandi. He expressed hope that the prosecutor would improve in future.

“Colleagues, regarding Muhammad Arfian, this case is closed, we forgive him, and we hope that as a young man, he can learn from this, be wiser going forward, and advance his career,” he said.

In the verdict delivered at the Batam District Court on Thursday 5 March, the panel of judges chaired by chief judge Tiwik, with associate judges Douglas Napitupulu and Randi Jastian Afandi, found Fandi guilty. The seafarer escaped the death penalty.

“Impose a prison sentence on the defendant Fandi Ramadhan of five years imprisonment,” said chief judge Tiwik when reading the verdict.