The Mystery of Brigadier Ridhal's Suicide in Mampang Prapatan

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

A police officer on duty at house number 20 in RT 005 RW 005, Mampang Prapatan IV Street, Tegal Parang Village, South Jakarta, on Saturday (27/4/2024). At the house, Brigadier Ridhal Ali Tomi was allegedly found dead as a result of suicide.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The cause of death of Brigadier Ridhal Ali Tomi, who was suspected of being suicide on Thursday (25/4/2024) in front of the house on Jalan Mampang Prapatan IV Number 20, Tegal Parang, Jakarta South, still a mystery. Ridhal's presence in Jakarta also raises question marks.

The wooden brown gate of house number 20 in RT 005 RW 005 also bore witness to the last moments of Brigadier Ridhal's life. On Saturday afternoon (April 27, 2024), the gate was tightly closed. Police officers coming in and out of the house always quickly closed the gate.

Indra Pratama, the owner of the house, said that he was not at home at the time of the incident and did not know about the incident that caused Ridhal to die in an Alphard car with plate number B 1544 QH, last Thursday. He left it entirely up to the police to process the investigation.

"There are 20 monitoring cameras or CCTVs that have been handed over to the police. "I still don't know the motive," said Indra, Saturday (27/4/2024).

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

Indra Pratama, the owner of house number 20 on RT 005 RW 005, Jalan Mampang Prapatan IV, Tegal Parang Sub-district, South Jakarta, on Saturday (27/4/2024). Brigadier Ridhal Ali Tomi was found dead in the house, suspected to have committed suicide.

Indra admitted that Ridhal is a friend he knew when visiting and working in Manado, North Sulawesi. However, Indra forgot since what year he has known Ridhal.

Ridhal has been staying at Indra's house for almost a week. "Yes (staying) sometimes he comes in and out," said Indra, Saturday (27/4/2024) evening.

Indra denied that Ridhal was his personal bodyguard. "There isn't any. He came here to visit, yes, I just welcomeit. I know him, but he doesn't have any assignments," he said.

Also read: Suicide in South Jakarta, Brigadier Ridhal's Motive Still Being Investigated

Imam Samsudin (42), one of the residents who lives not far from house number 20, mentioned that he knows Ridhal as they have chatted a few times before. Imam knows Ridhal as a good person.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

A policeman steps out of the gate of house number 20 on RT 005 RW 005, Jalan Mampang Prapatan IV, Tegal Parang Village, South Jakarta, on Saturday (27/4/2024).

Imam did not expect that Ridhal, who he knew about a year ago, died, allegedly by suicide.

"Mingle with the residents. He also often gives charity, giving it to poor children. "Tuesday, not long ago, when he left the gate, he opened the car window and said hello and waved," said Imam.

During their interaction, according to Imam, Ridhal never talked about the problems he was facing. The same goes for the activities happening at house number 20.

"I know he's a police officer in Manado. Well, the owner of the house is said to be a mining entrepreneur. The owner has been living here for about two years. This used to be the house of the late Minister Fahmi Idris," he said.

HUMAS POLRES METRO JAKARTA SELATAN

Joint investigators are examining the alleged suicide of Brigadier Ridhal Ali Tomi in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, Friday (26/4/2024).

No autopsy

Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit South Jakarta Metro Police Commissioner Hendrikus Yossi said that the investigation team and forensic medical team at the National Police Hospital had handed over the body of Brigadier Ridhal Ali Tomi to the family so that it would then be flown to Sulawesi North. His party has also shown CCTV footage to representatives of the deceased's family.

"The family representatives who arrived in Jakarta today are the deceased's cousin and brother-in-law. The family emphasizes that they are not willing to have an autopsy performed on the late RA's body. The family has received explanations from a doctor regarding the condition of the body based on an external examination," said Yossi.

Earlier, the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of South Jakarta Metro Police, Senior Commissioner Bintoro, said that the investigation process is still ongoing, with several witnesses yet to be questioned.

Previously, Bintoro stated that his party received information regarding the incident where Ridhal allegedly committed suicide at around 18.25, last Thursday.

HUMAS POLRES METRO JAKARTA SELATAN

Joint investigators are examining the alleged suicide of Brigadier Ridhal Ali Tomi in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, Friday (26/4/2024).

The Head of South Jakarta Metro Police, Commissioner Ade Rahmat Idnal, said that they are still verifying the motive behind the death of Ridhal Ali, a member of the Traffic Unit of Polresta Manado.

The police need to conduct a thorough investigation based on science. "We have processed the crime scene and examined the VCR recording, and we have also questioned 18 witnesses at the scene. We are tentatively concluding that it was a suicide," said Ade when contacted on Saturday afternoon.

This conclusion was obtained from the results of digital forensic and laboratory examinations by looking at the wounds on the victim Ridhal Ali's body.

"The motive for committing suicide is a personal matter, but we are still investigating this with his wife and relatives. "We will also open (check) the cell phone in question," said Ade.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

A resident passes in front of house number 20 on RT 005 RW 005, Jalan Mampang Prapatan IV, Tegal Parang Village, South Jakarta, on Saturday (27/4/2024).

When asked about Ridhal's whereabouts in Jakarta and the reason for his leave or vacation or other activities, Ade has not yet specified the reason. He only received confirmation that Ridhal was on leave.

"From the work unit, the person concerned is on leave. "For all kinds of other things, please ask the unit of origin," he said.

The police plan to ensure various information, including Ridhal's needs in Jakarta, and will convey it to the public in an official release. However, the release time has not yet been confirmed.

Counseling

The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) is also concerned about the death of Brigadier Ridhal. According to Kompolnas member Poengky Indarti, the police investigation is highly anticipated to determine the cause or problem that led to the death of the police officer from the police unit in Manado.

Kompolnas will ask the North Sulawesi Regional Police for clarification regarding whether Brigadier Ridhal went to Jakarta on leave.

"Or will they be deployed to other agencies/regions in Jakarta? If it's a reinforcement, why should it be taken from North Sulawesi and for what assignment?" said Poengky when contacted.

Regarding the suicide cases that have befallen police officers, according to Poengky, the perpetrators of suicide are mostly non-commissioned officers. The motives for suicide can vary, such as feeling worried due to being involved in criminal cases, as well as depression caused by personal problems and economic factors.

"We see that the police are also ordinary humans who have various problems in their lives. Moreover, the police's duties are very heavy, namely to serve, protect, nurture the community, and enforce the law, which can sometimes cause stress," he said.

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Therefore, it is crucial for police leaders to pay attention to the physical and mental well-being of their members and to take care of their psychological needs. Especially for those who face high levels of pressure in carrying out their duties, such as confronting criminals and so on.

"It is very important to have regular physical and psychological examinations as well as providing a place for counseling for members," said Poengky.

According to Poengky, the psychological team should not only be centered at the level of the regional police, but there also needs to be counseling for its members at each police station. Police leadership needs to collaborate with universities or psychology associations to overcome the limitations of psychologists at the district level.