Men suspected of beating (Indonesian Military) soldiers in Ciracas, East Jakarta, were shown to reporters before a press conference at the Jakarta Police Headquarters on Friday (14/12/2018). Meanwhile, the mass of perpetrators of the destruction of Ciracas police station have not yet been revealed.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS -- A joint team of police and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel is hunting down the individuals behind the assault on Ciracas police station in East Jakarta. As of Friday (14/12/2018), the team had yet to reveal the attackers’ identities.
Meanwhile, the police has arrested five suspects for allegedly attacking two TNI personnel in an incident that reportedly led to the police station assault.
Jakarta Military Command spokesperson Col. Kristomei Sianturi said that the joint team was deep into its investigation in the case. The team is now focused on finding out whether or not the assault on Ciracas police station was connected to the attack on the two TNI personnel.
“We are conducting an internal investigation, using pictures and videos, among other materials. We have ordered all military unit commanders in Jakarta to check on all their men. Currently, we cannot yet conclude that the perpetrators [of the police station assault] were military personnel,” Kristomei said.
He said that, at the time of the incident on Tuesday (11/12) evening, there were two groups of attackers. The first group came to the site of the attack on the Arundina shopping arcade and the Ciracas police station at between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
The local military resort and district commands then ordered the group to leave the site. Then, at around 10 p.m., a second group came by, provoked locals and attacked the Ciracas police station.
Own conclusion
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. M Iqbal said that he urged the public not to make their own conclusions on who were behind the attack and arson of the Ciracas police station. Everyone is equal before the law and the investigation into the case will be fair and transparent. Currently, Iqbal said, the joint team was investigating several pieces of evidence at the site of the attack.
TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Santos Gunawan Matondang shared Iqbal’s sentiment. He said that he urged everyone to respect the legal process and that there was no need to play a guessing game on who were behind the attack. “We should not play what-ifs,” Santos said.
In line with this, investigators have arrested five suspects for allegedly attacking TNI personnel. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said that the five attackers were AP, 32; HP, 30; D, 35; IH, 33; and SR, 25, who works as a parking attendant.
They were alleged to have beaten two TNI personnel, identified as Capt. Komarudin and First Pvt. Rivonanda. All five suspects may face more than five years in prison in line with Article 170 of the Criminal Code.
Jakarta Police criminal investigations head Sr. Comr. Roycke Harry Lange said that the assault on Ciracas police station was alleged to have been triggered by the
attack on the two TNI personnel by the five suspects. Roycke said that he could not provide any more detailed explanation as investigators were still making a list of damages at the Ciracas police station. “The Jakarta Police and the Jakarta Military Command will be together in the investigation,” he said.
Equality before the law
National Police Commission (Kompolnas) member Poengky Indarti said that the principle of equality of all citizens before the law should be applied in investigating the attack on Ciracas police station.
If evidence is found of TNI personnel’s involvement in the attack, it must be seen as individual actions unrelated to TNI. “There must be no discrimination in law enforcement,” Poengky said.
On Friday, the Ciracas police station resumed public services after it had been temporarily closed due to the attack. Adj. First Insp. Agus Supriyanto, who manned the police clearance letter (SKCK) request booth, said that 45 SKCK requests had been processed as of midday.
“Usually, we have processed 80-90 requests in one day, but we can only do half of the amount today. Perhaps many still do not know that we have reopened our services,” Agus said.
No repair works were seen in the damaged building. However, collapsed roofing tiles and roof support pillars have been removed. Many of the roofing tiles were broken and the support pillars were thoroughly charred. Losses are expected to reach Rp 1 billion (US$68,584.77).
Ciracas police chief Comr. Agus Widartono had recovered and had resumed his duty at the station. Six new patrol motorbikes and three new patrol cars were deployed to assist police duty at the station. Previously, more than 17 police vehicles in the police station’s parking area were destroyed by the attacking mob.
Agus said that he urged locals to not be afraid to processing their documents at the Ciracas police station. “The police station belongs to the people. We will guarantee their safety,” he said (WAD/SAN/E03)
/https%3A%2F%2Fkompas.id%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F12%2F20181214_PENGEROYOKAN_A_web_1544777136.jpg){kind=logo}
