Exemplary Leadership Can Prevent Violence by Security Personnel

KOMPAS/MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Dudung Abdurachman (center) performs a flower-laying ceremony at Salsabila's grave (14) with Salsabila's father, Jajang (right), in Ciaro Village, Nagreg District, Bandung Regency, West Java, Monday (27/12/2021).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The inhumane actions conducted by three members of the Indonesian Army (TNI) in a traffic accident in Nagreg, Bandung regency, West Java, have further increased the number of cases of violence by security personnel against civilians. A legal rule alone is not enough to prevent it. It must be accompanied by an example from a leader in addition to the need to evaluate the education and supervision system.

“The problem is a matter of culture, the example of the leader, then how to monitor and control it. There are many regulations about it, but they are not enough," said the director of the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies, Khairul Fahmi, when asked for his opinion related to the Nagreg accident and a number of cases of violence by members of the TNI and the National Police (Polri) on Tuesday (12/28/2021).

Handi Hariasaputra (17) and Salsabila (14) were killed in an accident in Nagreg on Wednesday (8/12) involving three military personnel including Colonel P, First Corporal DA and Corporal Two A. The three military personnel who were in the car during the accident were accused of throwing the two victims into the Serayu River, Central Java. The dumping of the victims into the river sparked a wide reaction from the public.

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In the presentation of the Year-End Note on Human Rights in Indonesia for 2021 on Tuesday, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) reported that it had received 2,516 complaints from the public from early 2021 to December 15. Most of the complaints were addressed to the police (661) and TNI (73).

The reports included violence by the authorities in the form of the use of excessive force, torture and other cruel and inhumane acts. Various types of violence and excessive use of force, for example, occurred during the handling of demonstrations, and they occurred across the country.

Khairul said continued guidance in each internal security agency played an important role in changing the culture. As one of the spearheads in changing the culture is the leadership element, the leaders should show an example and commitment in addition to the importance of giving firm action to any members who violated the rules in order to create a deterrent effect, he said.

ARSIP PRIBADI

ISESS Director Khairul Fahmi

Meanwhile, the chairman of the executive board of Central Initiative, Al Araf, agreed on the importance of leaders serving as an example to prevent the recurrence of violence by security personnel.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of evaluating the education system undertaken by members of the TNI and Polri. Reflecting on a number of cases of violence involving the Army and police, in the future, more material on the importance of protecting human rights should be taught, he added.

Specifically related to the Nagreg case, he urged that the case be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators should be punished according to the crime they committed. The case, according to him, should even be processed by the general justice system to obtain objectivity in the trial. "Military courts tend to be a means of impunity for TNI personnel involved in violence against civilians," said Al Araf

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Life sentence

Meanwhile, TNI commander General Andika Perkasa said he had established a team of investigators or military prosecutors to handle the Nagreg case. He demanded the three members of the Indonesian Army involved to be sentenced to life in prison even though Article 340 of the Criminal Code states that the maximum sentence is the death penalty.

Currently, the three suspects have been taken to Jakarta for further investigation, which has so far carried out the Kodam III/Siliwangi regional command because the accident occurred in West Java.

The commander of the army military police, Lieutenant General Chandra Sukotjo, said that during the investigation, the statements of each suspect should be cross-checked. (NAD/EDN)

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.