Thorough Investigation to Maintain Public Trust

The National Police have revealed the latest developments of its investigation into illegal firearm ownership and an alleged plan to murder state officials during the May 21-22 riots. A thorough and transparent investigation is required to prove the state is effective and to maintain public trust.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Protesters and police clash on Jl. Wahid Hasyim, Tanah Abang, Jakarta, Wednesday (22/5/2019). The demonstrators, who attacked the police with stones near the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) office, were dispersed by the police with tear gas.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The National Police have revealed the latest developments of its investigation into illegal firearm ownership and an alleged plan to murder state officials during the May 21-22 riots. A thorough and transparent investigation into the case is required to prove the state is effective and to maintain public trust.

The National Police’s move on Tuesday (11/6/2019) to hold an expose and press conference of its investigation into the riots gained public appreciation. However, many are hoping that the police give a detailed explanation on the development of its investigation into other aspects of the riots, such as the casualties and causes.

Former chairman of the nation’s second-largest Muslim mass organization Muhammadiyah, Ahmad Syafii Maarif, said in Yogyakarta that he hoped the riots would be clearly exposed and urged the police to prioritize transparency in handling the case.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A riot takes place over the results of the general election vote count in the front of the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/5/2019). The demonstration ended in chaos after demonstrators attacked security officers by throwing stones.

The press conference at the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister on Tuesday was attended by National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. M. Iqbal, Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Sisriadi, National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) general crimes directorate’s sub-directorate I head Sr. Comr. Daddy Hartadi and Jakarta Police general crimes deputy director Adj. Sr. Comr. Ade Ary Syam Indradi.

On the occasion, the police explained the riots’ chronology, including how the rioters, who were different from the peace protesters on Jl. Thamrin, attacked the Mobile Brigade office in Petamburan, Jakarta. The police also talked about how they seized firearms that the rioters allegedly prepared, including poisonous arrows and cocktail bombs.

The police also exposed the latest development of its investigation into illegal firearm ownership and the alleged plan to murder four state officials and one survey agency chair. The four state officials were believed to be Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Budi Gunawan and presidential expert staff member on intelligence and security affairs Gories Mere.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Rioters damage a road divider blocking off Jl. KS Tubun in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/5/2019). Demonstrations ended in chaos in a number of places in Tanah Abang, Petamburan and Slipi, Central Jakarta.

The police arrested six suspects in the case, namely persons identified only as AF, HK aka Iwan, AZ, IR, TJ and AD. The police believed that the roles of the six suspects were the leader, executor, firearm procurer and firearm seller. From the six suspects, the police seized evidence in the form of a police vest, dozens of bullets and four firearms.

“Tests show that the four firearms are functioning properly,” Ade said

Based on the investigation into the six, the police have enough evidence to arrest Maj. Gen. (ret.) Kivlan Zen. Ade said that Kivlan was alleged to have given the order to HK and AZ to search for an executor in the murder plan. He then allegedly gave HK and AZ Rp 150 million (US$10,535.17) to purchase firearms.

Ade said Kivlan was alleged to have obtained the money from HM, a politician. The police arrested HM on May 29. From HM, the police seized a cell phone and a printout of a bank account passbook.

In response to the police statements, Kivlan’s lawyer Pitra Romadoni Nasution said his client would respect the ongoing legal proceeding. However, he also urged the police to consider maintaining his client’s dignity. Pitra said the suspects’ statement should be tested in court. “What if the suspects have contradicting statements in court? We need to prioritize presumption of innocence. As long as nothing is legally binding, we should not accuse,” Pitra said.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

The wreckage of vehicles burned by demonstrators who rejected the General Elections Commission (KPU) vote count is seen around the Mobile Brigade Dormitory on Jl. KS Tubun, Petamburan, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/5/2019).

Iqbal said the police could not yet reveal the specific reasons as to why the suspects allegedly targeted the four state officials and one survey agency chair. The police, he said, were still investigating HM’s background as the suspected financier.

National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) commissioner Choirul Anam said in Jakarta that the police’s expose was important in the spirit of prioritizing transparency. However, he said the police should publicly reveal details behind several other aspects to ensure thorough transparency in its investigation.

Choirul highlighted the need for the police to maintain its accountability by investigating allegations of abuse of authority by police officers during the riots.

Without answers

Separately, Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator Yati Andriyani said the public appreciated the National Police’s press conference but several questions remained without answers. Yati said these questions included eight casualties during the riots in Jakarta. He said the police had yet to expose who were responsible for the deaths, including what actually caused them.

Yati also said the police had yet to explain the direct connection between the plan to murder state officials, the riots and the treason allegations toward several persons.

Regarding these issues, Iqbal said the police believed that those who died during the riots were protesters. Iqbal said the National Police chief had established a team to investigate the case. “The team is working in parallel and coordinating with Komnas HAM. We will be as objective and detailed as possible to investigate the series of events,” he said.

Choirul said the police was committed to working with Komnas HAM to investigate the cause of deaths of the alleged protesters.

(IGA/AGE/EDN/NCA)