Regarding Calls to Withdraw the Mobile Brigade from Civilian Affairs Following the Bripda Mesias Siahaya Case, the National Police: We Acknowledge There Are Weaknesses

Regarding calls to withdraw the Mobile Brigade from civilian affairs following the Bripda Mesias Siahaya case, the National Police: We Acknowledge There Are Weaknesses

• Special

Jakarta, VIVA – The National Police Headquarters claims that it is currently conducting a thorough evaluation, including regarding the supervision of personnel in the field.

This is in response to calls from a number of civil society groups requesting that the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) be withdrawn from civilian security tasks. The calls emerged after a case of violence committed by a Brimob officer, Bripda Mesias Siahaya, which resulted in the death of a student named Arianto Tawakal (14).

The National Police admits that they are not turning a blind eye to the criticisms that are developing.

“As an open institution, the National Police is grateful and appreciates every input. It is true that there are weaknesses, and we acknowledge this. We are currently conducting an evaluation in order to strengthen (supervision),” said the Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Police Inspector General Johnny Edizzon Isir, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

However, Johnny emphasized that the presence of Brimob in a number of areas, especially in areas with a certain level of vulnerability and geographical challenges, is still very much needed.

“Especially when we are on duty in the eastern region of Indonesia, this is very helpful,” he said.

According to him, the incident in Tual is not a reflection of the structure of the National Police institution, but rather an individual act of indiscipline. He emphasized that the violation has been processed firmly, both through ethical and criminal channels.

“This incident is not part of the structure. This is an action at the individual level,” he said.

Johnny also said that he understands the disappointment and anger of the public that has emerged as a result of the incident. He said that the criticisms conveyed by the public are important material for the National Police’s evaluation.

“Regarding the incident in Tual which then became a trigger, we can understand the feelings of disappointment, the feelings of anger from the public,” he said.

For information, the Brimob officer who committed violence against a Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs) student with the initials Arianto Tawakal (14) until he died near the Uningrat Campus, Tual City, Maluku, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, has been secured and detained at the Tual Police Detention Center. The Maluku Police ensured that the legal process against its members would proceed without compromise.

The suspected perpetrator with the initials Bripda Masias Siahaya, who is known to be a member of the Brimob Kompi 1 Battalion C Pelopor, is known to have assaulted the victim who was riding a motorcycle with his brother. The victim was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment but eventually died, while his brother suffered a broken bone.