Nofryansah's Death Raises Suspicion

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A number of procedural irregularities have raised questions over the death of Brig. J, or Nofryansah Yosua Hutabarat, during a shooting incident involving Second Agent (Bharada) E that occurred on Friday (8/7/2022) at the official residence of the chief of the National Police internal affairs (Propam) division, Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo, in Duren Tiga, South Jakarta. The doubt was raised by House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III overseeing legal affairs and security, as well as Nofryansah's family members in Jambi, who said that Nofryansah had been with Ferdy on the day of the incident.

House Commission III stated that the alleged sexual harassment Nofryansah committed against Ferdy's wife, which the National Police said had triggered the fatal shooting, was insufficient as a cause. Several other facts have raised questions, including that the incident was revealed only three days after it had occurred, and that one of the surveillance cameras at the residence was not functioning.

Nofryansah and Bharada E are both assigned as Ferdy's aides. Nofryansah served as the driver of Ferdy's wife, while Bharada E was in charge of security for the family of the internal affairs head. The National Police said that the two had exchanged fire from a distance of 12 meters during the incident.

House Commission III chairman Bambang Wuryanto, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, told a press conference on Tuesday (12/7) at the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta, that the fatal shooting involving members of the National Police raised questions. “It is an emotional and very stressful situation that the shooting has resulted in death. [A shooting] between police officers [is] frightening," he said.

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The preliminary results of the crime scene investigation conducted by the South Jakarta Police revealed that Nofryansah fired seven shots using an HS firearm, with nine bullets remaining in the magazine. Meanwhile, Bharada E fired five shots using a Glok 17, with 12 bullets unfired.

During the incident, Bharada E was not hit by a single bullet because he was in a protected position. Meanwhile, Nofryansah was hit by five bullets that left seven bullet holes in his body and severed one of his fingers. Ferdy was not at home during the incident.

Bambang also questioned why the National Police only disclosed the incident on Monday (11/7), three days after it had occurred. Moreover, he said, a surveillance camera at the residence was not functioning. "It needs an explanation because it will raise questions among the public," he said.

Bambang promised that after the House recess was over, Commission III would summon the National Police chief to provide a detailed explanation on the incident.

KOMPAS/NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo gave a press statement on Tuesday (12/7/2022) at the National Police Headquarters, Jakarta. Listyo explained the case of a shootout at the official residence of the chief of the National Police internal affairs (Propam) division, which caused the death of a member of the police force.

South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Budhi Herdi Susianto confirmed that one surveillance camera at the internal affairs chief’s official residence was not functioning.

According to him, the camera was damaged two weeks ago so it had not taken any footage for use as evidence. However, Budhi ensured that a forensic criminal investigation was looking for other evidence on the incident to shed light on what happened.

Continuing, Budhi said that police were currently reviewing the statements of several witnesses, including Bharada E and two other individuals identified only by the initials R and K. Ferdy's wife was currently receiving psychological treatment.

Accompanying Ferdy

Nofryansah's family requested that his mobile phone be returned to his family. Samuel Hutabarat, Nofryansah's father, revealed that when the shooting incident occurred on Friday, Nofryansah was communicating with his wife on his mobile phone, saying that he was with Ferdy, his wife and their children en route from Magelang, Central Java, to Jakarta. Nofryansah estimated that he would arrive in Jakarta at around 4 p.m.

However, Samuel said, the family later received news that the Nofryansah had died at 5 p.m. The next day, his body was transported to Jambi. After the body had been buried in Sungai Bahar, Muaro Jambi regency, 50 police officers visited the funeral home that had prepared the victim’s body for burial, and closed the doors and curtains. The incident made the family anxious and upset.

Not long after, the WhatsApp messaging application was blocked on the mobile phones belonging to Samuel, his wife, and his three children. "We can no longer access it," he said.

Firearms use

Police observer Bambang Rukminto from the Institute for Security and Strategic Studies said that Ferdy, as the direct supervisor of both Nofryansah and Bharada E, should be responsible for the firearms used by the two policemen. Moreover, Bharada E, with less than four years of service, seemed to have perfect aim. "This raises questions," he said.

National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the police force had decided to establish a special team that also involved the National Police Commission and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the fatal shooting.

"This team will provide recommendations and input to support the investigative process. Currently, a lot of confusing information and news is circulating about this case," he said.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.