Lessons Learned

The first series of trials for Ferdy Sambo and other related cases have ended. Those accused of Yosua’s murder and obstructing the investigation have been convicted.

KOMPAS/NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

The defendant Hendra Kurniawan heard the decision of the panel of judges against him for the case of obstructing the investigation into the death of Brigadier J, at the South Jakarta District Court, Monday (27/2/2023).

In the obstruction case, Brig. Gen. Hendra Kurniawan was sentenced to three years in prison, a heavier sentence than the other defendants. The judicial panel said his sentence took into account the convoluted narrative Hendra presented and the fact that he had shown no remorse.

Several defendants have filed appeals, including Sambo, who was sentenced to death by the judges at the South Jakarta District Court. Appeals are permitted under the Criminal Code Procedures (KUHAP). The legal process must be respected, but still monitored.

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> Sambo and Putri Get Heavier Sentences than Prosecutors' Demands

> Richard's Honesty and Courage Appreciated

Sambo’s trial was the trial of the century. The court seemed to become a jury under the common law system. The judicial panel did not remain silent when making their decision. Moreover, public opinion, public support, comments from netizens and experts, and silent operations may have also influenced Sambo’s trial. This development needs to be anticipated in the future.

However, the Sambo trial that seized the nation’s attention for nearly eight months still remains a mystery. The motive for murdering Yosua was not clearly revealed. The version presented by Sambo and Putri involved sexual assault. The prosecutor’s version included an affair. Meanwhile, the judges claimed that Sambo and Putri had ill feelings towards Yosua. But we still do not know what actually happened.

RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Richard Eliezer

Controversy also surrounds Second Agent (Bharada) Richard Eliezer, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He is still under protection and an officer of the National Police. Eliezer is still under protection, as it is thought that there are parties who disapprove of his honesty in opening Pandora’s box. On the other hand, a moral dilemma arises with Eliezer’s conviction.

Also read:

> Trial of The Century

What the police must work on now are the lessons to be learned from the Sambo case: Lessons about the police’s internal rotation and promotion system; lessons about monitoring investigations that, like in the Sambo case, can be fabricated; lessons about unlawful orders from superiors that their subordinates must carry out. Police reform is still needed. Without any improvements within the police force, the Sambo case will leave no traces and we will have failed to learn its lessons.

It is time for the National Police Commission, together with civil society and the police force, to sit down and learn the lessons from the Sambo case. We must evaluate, improve and reconstruct internal reforms for the police. Police reform will gain momentum as soon as several high-ranking officers inside and outside the institution retire.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.