Uniform Sleeve Issue for Soldiers Highlighted in Bank Branch Head Murder Trial

The case of the death of a bank branch head in Jakarta, M Ilham Pradipta (37), has entered a new phase. Three TNI soldiers are now on trial at the Military Court (Dilmil) II-08 Jakarta.

During the proceedings, the panel of judges at Dilmil II-08 Jakarta highlighted differences in the uniform sleeve usage among the three TNI soldiers who are the defendants. The judge requested that all three wear the same uniform.

Presiding Judge Colonel Chk Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto questioned the inconsistency during the examination of the defendants’ identities.

“Why is this different? One has long sleeves, the other two have their sleeves rolled up,” said Fredy in the courtroom at Military Court II-08 Jakarta, Cakung, East Jakarta, as reported by Antara on Monday (6/4/2026).

The three defendants are Serka Mochamad Nasir (MN) as defendant 1; Kopda Feri Herianto (FH) as defendant 2; and Serka Frengky Yaru (FY) as defendant 3. They appeared wearing field service uniforms (PDL) of the TNI, but there were differences in how they wore the shirt sleeves.

Serka M Nasir and Kopda Feri appeared to have their uniform sleeves rolled up, while Serka Frengky wore the PDL uniform with full-length sleeves unrolled and also wore a cap. This difference was then questioned by the panel of judges.

Defendant 3, Frengky, explained that wearing the uniform with unrolled sleeves is a habit in daily task execution. He stated that the attributes worn were in accordance with service regulations.

The defendants’ legal counsel also mentioned the latest regulations within the Special Forces Command (Kopassus) environment regarding the use of PDL uniforms without rolling up the sleeves.

“Yes, according to the latest regulations, PDL uniforms are not rolled up,” said the legal counsel in front of the panel of judges.

The judge considered uniformity important in the trial because all three defendants come from the same institution. Fredy reminded them to adjust the use of attributes in the future.

“Why are they different? Aren’t they still detained together? If possible, make their clothing uniform,” said the Judge.

Head of the Military Prosecutor’s Office (Kaotmil) II-07 Jakarta, Andri Wijaya, stated that not all defendants are in the same detention. Andri said defendant 3, Frengky, is not detained, hence the difference in uniform usage compared to the other two defendants.

Defendants 1 and 2 then lowered their sleeve lengths so that all three defendants were once again uniform in their uniform usage.

Charged with Premeditated Murder

The three TNI soldiers are charged with premeditated murder of M Ilham Pradipta, who was the branch head of a bank in Central Jakarta (Jakpus). They are said to have roles in the loss of M Ilham Pradipta’s life.

“That the actions of the defendants in forcibly taking the late Mohamad Ilham Pradipta and carrying out beatings that resulted in the late’s death is an act unworthy of TNI soldiers,” said Military Prosecutor Major Chk Wasinton Marpaung at Military Court II-08 Jakarta.

The Military Prosecutor has compiled layered charges against the defendants. In the primary charge, all three are indicted under Article 340 of the Criminal Code for premeditated murder. As subsidiary charges, they are indicted under Article 338 of the Criminal Code for murder and assault causing death as regulated in Article 351 paragraph (3) of the Criminal Code.

“The defendants are charged with Article 340 of the Criminal Code jo Article 55 paragraph (1) first of the Criminal Code as the primary charge. Subsidiary Article 338 of the Criminal Code, further subsidiary Article 351 paragraph (3) of the Criminal Code. Or Article 333 paragraph (3) of the Criminal Code,” explained Wasinton.

In addition, specifically for defendant Serka Mochamad Nasir, the Prosecutor also includes an additional charge regarding concealing or disposing of the victim’s body as in Article 181 of the Criminal Code.

Roles of the 3 TNI Soldiers

Presiding Judge Colonel Chk Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto revealed the roles of the three TNI personnel in this case. They are said to have different roles related to the death of M Ilham Pradipta.

“In the charge, it is concluded that defendant one planned the kidnapping, instructed defendant two to carry out the kidnapping, pulled the victim when transferred from the Avanza vehicle with plate A 1374 FOA to a black Toyota Fortuner with plate B 1706 ZCC, carried out assault on the victim, and received 50 million rupiah,” said Presiding Judge Colonel Chk Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto.

He stated that defendant 1, Serka Nasir, stepped on the victim’s shoulder, pulled the head, and dragged the victim to be dumped in the bushes.

Meanwhile, defendant two, Kopda Feri, played a role in preparing and finding the kidnapping team, consisting of witnesses 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Kopda Feri is also said to have monitored the kidnapping activities and was at the kidnapping location during the handover of the victim to defendant one.

“And received 40 million rupiah,” he added.

Meanwhile, defendant 3, Serka Frengky, based on the charge file, has involvement almost the same as Kopda Feri. However, there is a difference in the amount of money received.

“Defendant 3 knew about the plan to take the victim, was at the kidnapping location as well as during the handover of the victim to defendant one, and knew about the handover of the victim from witness eight to defendant one and witness five, and received one million rupiah,” he said.

M Ilham Pradipta is suspected to be the victim of kidnapping and murder at one of the shopping centres in Ciracas, East Jakarta, on 20 August 2025. The body was found in Kampung Karangsambung, RT 8/RW 4, Desa Nagasari, Kecamatan Serang Baru, Kabupaten Bekasi, West Java, around 05:30 WIB, on 21 August 2025.