Protecting the Truth

Protecting Eliezer and his family is clearly very important in order to protect the truth. We now hope that the truth will slowly be revealed.

KOMPAS

Second Agent (Barada) E or Richard Eliezer Pudihang Lumiu has revealed to Indonesian National Police investigators that he was ordered by his superiors to shoot Brigadier J or Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat.

The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) is offering its protection to Second Agent (Barada) E, or Richard Eliezer P. Lumiu, for upholding the truth.

Eliezer was given emergency protection effective on Friday evening (12/8/2022). Three LPSK leaders decided on giving him emergency protection without calling a plenary meeting, though this was still in line with the LPSK's procedures. The LPSK leaders were convinced by Eliezer's intention to be a justice collaborator.

"We also [maintain] that his statement has been consistent. Then the legal process will continue until the end," LPSK chairman Hasto Atmojo Suroyo said in Jakarta on Saturday (13/8).

Also read:

> Maintaining National Police’s Credibility and Accountability

> Shot in the Back of the Head Kills Brigadier J

The potential for a serious threat against Eliezer was one of the factors that the LPSK decided to protect him. Considering his connection to a murder case involving so many police officers, a threat against Eliezer could be a real possibility.

Eliezer's testimony is also very important, because the truth in this case must be disclosed fully. The truth must also be revealed because, first, the truth is important. Second, the image of the National Police, one of the most important institutions in this republic, must be maintained.

We morally support the LPSK for protecting Eliezer. The LPSK has committed to appointing its officers to 24-hour guard duty at Eliezer's detention room at the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim). The LPSK can also provide separate meals for Eliezer. In this digital era, surveillance cameras can also be installed to "monitor" Eliezer.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Deputy Chairperson of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) Achmadi (white shirt) leaves the Police Criminal Investigation Unit building, Jakarta, Tuesday (9/8/2022).

Referring to the attack in 2013 on the Class IIB Penitentiary in Cebongan, Sleman, the LPSK will also be able to provide virtual testimony for Eliezer. This is important in order to maintain the psychological and physical safety for Eliezer so he can testify freely without pressure.

Testifying in the same room with his former boss may not be easy. After courts convened virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic, this would be easy to do if Eliezer wants it.

We also hope that the LPSK can play a role in protecting Eliezer's family. We hear that Eliezer’s family has been avoiding the spotlight to avoid unwanted attention. Even though it is uncertain how much longer they will be able to escape public view, the LPSK should immediately contact Eliezer's family and protect them.

Also read:

> The Motive behind Brig. J’s Premeditated Murder

> Disclosing Motive would Bolster Perceptions of Police Objectivity

Protecting Eliezer and his family is clearly very important in order to protect the truth. To date, the police have named Insp. Gen. Ferdy Sambo, Eliezer, Brig. Ricky Rizal, and Kuat Ma'ruf (a worker at Ferdy's house) as suspects in the case. The question is, what are the real facts? Are there other parties involved?

Through the hands of various parties, including the hands of the LPSK, we now hope that the truth will slowly be revealed. However, we still have hope, as there has also been internal encouragement from the police to clean up for the sake of the National Police. And this encouragement to clean up can start by supporting the LPSK's work in protecting Eliezer.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.