Prosecutor in Fandi ABK Case Apologises, Admits Receiving Disciplinary Sanctions

JAKARTA — Muhammad Arfian, a public prosecutor at the Batam State Prosecutors Office (Kejari), has apologised for seeking the death penalty against Fandi Ramadhan, an ordinary seaman (ABK) on the Sea Dragon, in a methamphetamine smuggling case involving nearly 2 tonnes of the drug.

Arfian made the apology during a public hearing session held by Commission III of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

“We, as public prosecutors, wish to sincerely and deeply apologise for the error we made during the trial yesterday, which will become material for our evaluation moving forward,” Arfian said in his statement.

He reiterated his apology for the incorrect charges he had filed.

“We have been investigated and found guilty by the Prosecutors General’s Supervisory Division (Jamwas), and we have already been given and received disciplinary sanctions,” he added.

In response, Habiburokhman from Commission III stated that the commission had also forgiven Arfian.

“We hope this young man can learn from this, act more wisely in the future, and advance in his career,” Habiburokhman said.

Earlier, the Indonesian Navy, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, and the Riau Islands Regional Police had foiled an attempt to smuggle approximately 1,995,130 grammes—nearly 2 tonnes—of narcotics aboard the Sea Dragon.

In the case disclosure, six suspects were detained: four Indonesian nationals identified as HS, LC, FR, and RH.

During the prosecution phase at the Batam District Court, the public prosecutor sought the death penalty for Fandi alongside the other defendants.

However, the trial revealed that Fandi had only worked as an ordinary seaman for three days when the vessel was apprehended.