JAKARTA: The issue of police brutality has returned to the harsh spotlight following the death of a 14-year-old student in Tual, Maluku, as National Police chief Gen Listyo Sigit Prabowo pledged a transparent investigation into the incident in which an officer allegedly fatally hit the student.
“I have ordered that the case be thoroughly investigated [...] to ensure that the perpetrators receive an equitable penalty, and justice is upheld for the victim’s family,” Listyo said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 22).
The student was reportedly struck in the forehead with a helmet by Second Brig Masias Siahaya, of the Maluku Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), while riding home after a morning stroll at the start of Ramadan.
The student fell face down onto the asphalt, while his motorcycle spun out of control and collided with his 15-year old older brother, who was riding ahead of him.
The student died six hours later at the hospital, as reported by Kompas. His brother is currently being treated at a hospital in Maluku for injuries received in the incident, Antara reported.
“We know our child won’t return [...] and the family is deeply angered. But we are seeking justice. I am urging the family to take legal action instead of taking the law into their own hands,” the student’s father said, as quoted by Kompas.
Masias maintains his innocence. He is currently being held at the Tual Police detention centre on charges of violence against a minor under the Child Protection Law, which carries a maximum sentence of three years and six months in prison, and 15 years in prison if the violence results in death.
Maluku Police chief Insp Gen Dadang Hartanto has apologised on behalf of the police force.
Calls for reform reemerge Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid described the case as a serious human rights violation that reflected a setback to the government’s efforts to protect the basic rights of the people.
“The helmets worn by Brimob officers are made of steel, designed for life-threatening situations. Brimob officers know that if used in violence, the helmets result in injury, even death,” Usman told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
“With that knowledge, the helmet was [allegedly] used to intentionally strike a child in the face; it’s clearly an extrajudicial killing.”
The incident adds to a string of recent cases of police brutality. In August last year, for instance, online motorcycle transportation driver Affan Kurniawan died after being crushed by a police tactical vehicle during a protest against economic inequality in Jakarta.
Affan's death prompted nationwide calls for police reforms. Usman noted that in past cases, victims were largely blamed for provoking a police overreaction.
In the latest case in Maluku, he said, the police accused the student of being involved in an illegal street race, although reports suggested he was some distance from the alleged race.
Without a transparent investigation into the case, Usman said, public trust in the police would further deteriorate.
Rights group the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (Kontras) recorded 602 cases of violence involving the police from July 2024 to June 2025, including 411 shootings, 38 cases of torture and 37 extrajudicial killings. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
