Widespread Condemnation of Brutal Brimob Assault That Killed Child in Tual

The brutal assault and killing of AT (14), a state Islamic junior secondary school (Madrasah Tsanawiyah) student, by Brimob officer First Class Private MS in the city of Tual, Southeast Maluku, has triggered widespread condemnation from various quarters.

A video recording the assault went viral on social media, showing AT suffering severe bleeding before his life could not be saved. The victim reportedly died from being struck by a helmet wielded by First Class Private MS, a member of Brimob Company 1 Pelopor C.

The incident occurred on Marren Road, not far from Uningrat University in Tual, on Thursday morning (19 February).

Speaking at the family’s mourning house, the victim’s older brother Nasri Karim (15) recounted that he and the victim had gone for a ride after the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan. They were each riding their own motorcycles.

They passed through a road that had become a location for illegal street racing and was being monitored by Brimob officers. On a downhill stretch, their motorcycles picked up speed. At that point, Brimob officer First Class Private MS and several other officers were monitoring the illegal racing.

Upon arriving at the scene, the victim, who was riding behind, was immediately struck in the face with a helmet. The victim fell and his motorcycle collided with his older brother’s motorcycle ahead of him.

“At that moment, the Brimob officer jumped from the pavement and struck the victim’s face with a helmet. The victim fell, his head hit the asphalt, and blood came from his mouth and nose, with blood also coming from the side of his head,” he said.

The victim was then evacuated to a patrol vehicle with his head hanging. Nasri said the victim’s body was held by several other officers whilst some merely dragged the victim by his clothing as though he were an animal.

Civil society coalitions, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), and the House of Representatives (DPR) have all condemned the brutal Brimob action.

Civil coalition demands criminal sanctions

The Civil Society Coalition is demanding that First Class Private MS face criminal sanctions. The coalition stated that the police must carry out law enforcement against the officer, not merely impose disciplinary sanctions or dismissal.

“This case has tarnished the efforts made in police reform and should rightly receive serious attention,” the Civil Coalition said in a statement on Sunday (22 February).

The coalition called on the National Police Chief to pay special attention to this case, particularly for the victim and his family, whilst also directing all police officers to maintain professionalism as a civilian police force.

Additionally, the coalition demanded that law enforcement in this case be conducted transparently and that the victim and his family receive justice.

“We urge the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) to oversee and monitor the legal process against the perpetrator and ensure the victim receives justice,” it said.

DPR demands transparent legal process

The Chair of DPR Commission X, Hetifah Sjaifudian, described the assault as a humanitarian tragedy and a severe indictment of the state’s efforts to protect children and guarantee the safety of students.

“Violence by state apparatus against civilians, especially against a child who is still a student, cannot be justified under any circumstances,” Hetifah Sjaifudian said.

As chair of the commission overseeing education matters, she emphasised that schools and public spaces must be safe environments for children to grow and learn.

Repressive actions resulting in loss of life not only wound the sense of justice but also erode public trust in state institutions.

She called for the legal process to be conducted transparently, objectively, and firmly through both criminal mechanisms and ethics code enforcement against First Class Private MS.

“There must be no impunity for violations resulting in death. Under the national criminal law framework, assault causing death carries serious consequences and must be enforced without compromise,” she said.

Hetifah also pushed for a comprehensive evaluation of the training, oversight, and standard operating procedures governing the use of force by security personnel, particularly in interactions with civilians and children.

KPAI calls for cause of death to be revealed

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) demanded that the cause of the victim’s death be made clear.

“For this case, KPAI has coordinated with Kompolnas and the Directorate of Women and Children Protection at National Police Headquarters, confirming that this incident violates the Child Protection Act and is unjustifiable,” KPAI Commissioner Diyah Puspitarini told reporters.

KPAI also urged that the case be processed swiftly and that the victim’s family receive social assistance.

“KPAI requests, as stipulated in Article 59A of the Child Protection Act, that proceedings be expedited, that the victim’s family receive social assistance, and that the child receive legal protection,” she said.

“The right of a child who has died unnaturally as a victim of violence is to have the cause of death clarified so the child does not receive negative stigma,” she added.

Yusril describes actions as beyond the bounds of humanity

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra expressed deep concern over the death of the victim, AT (14). He deeply regretted the incident that claimed the life of the junior secondary school student.

“Personally and as Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights who also serves as a member of the Police Reform Committee, I am deeply concerned and regret that this incident occurred. I extend my deepest condolences over the passing of AT,” Yusril said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Sunday.

According to Yusril, MS’s actions had exceeded the bounds of humanity. Police officers, he stressed, are state apparatus and law enforcers who are obligated to protect every life, whether of suspected criminals or victims of crime.

“If a rogue police officer assaults someone, especially a child who is not even suspected of any wrongdoing, then such an action is truly beyond the bounds of humanity,” he said.

YLBHI calls for murder charges against perpetrator

The Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, called for the perpetrator to be charged with homicide.