Daftarsbmptn.com – Maluku Regional Police Chief Inspector General Dadang Hartanto made a personal visit to a hospital to see one of the victims of alleged assault involving members of the Maluku Regional Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) in Tual City, Maluku Province. The visit was made as a form of empathy, moral responsibility, and commitment to law enforcement in response to the incident, which has caused deep sorrow for the victim’s family and widespread public scrutiny.
On Monday afternoon (February 23, 2026), Police Chief Dadang visited Prof. JA Latumeten Hospital in Ambon, where a teenager with the initials NK (15) is undergoing intensive care following the violent actions of Brimob officers. NK is the older brother of an MTs student with the initials AT (14) who died after experiencing the same assault. During the visit, the Police Chief inspected the victim’s medical condition, spoke with the medical team, and ensured that all medical needs and psychosocial support were optimally met. During the meeting, Dadang also directly apologized to the victim’s family for the incident that befell their child.
“I am here not only as an institutional leader, but also as a form of moral responsibility. On behalf of myself and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), I offer my apologies. We are deeply saddened by this incident,” said the Chief of Police.
This statement was intended to demonstrate that the police institution recognizes the serious impact of the incident and is committed to taking corrective action. The visit also included a dialogue between the Chief of Police and the victim’s parents, during which Dadang emphasized that the state will not ignore any violation of the law, especially if it is committed by law enforcement officers themselves. He emphasized that this incident is a serious evaluation for all levels of the Maluku Regional Police to improve internal oversight, discipline, and the mental and professional development of members to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future.
The assault began on Thursday morning, February 19, 2026, when the two victims were driving along the streets of Tual City. AT (14) and NK (15) were reportedly subjected to violence by a Brimob officer with the initials Bripda MS, who was later named a suspect by the Tual Police after a case presentation. During the suspect-naming process, the police gathered statements from several witnesses and preliminary evidence to confirm the involvement of First Brigadier MS in the incident.
In this case, AT died in the hospital after suffering serious injuries, while his older brother, NK, suffered broken bones and injuries from the assault. Both victims were from the same family, and this incident drew intense public attention because the perpetrators were members of the security forces, who were supposed to protect the public.
Furthermore, the legal process against First Brigadier MS also ran parallel to an internal ethics hearing held by the Professional and Security Division (Propam) of the Maluku Regional Police. This ethics hearing featured witnesses, including the victim’s older brother, who testified before the panel. Meanwhile, administratively, the Brimob officer in question faces sanctions, including possible dismissal or dishonorable discharge from the police force.
This response has also received support from various parties. Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Ahmad Sahroni, stated that the National Police’s move to dismiss the Brimob officer was appropriate and important to maintain the institution’s dignity and expedite the legal process without interference. He emphasized that strict sanctions against the perpetrators and a thorough evaluation of internal procedures are crucial to upholding a sense of justice in the public eye.
Furthermore, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) strongly condemned the abuse that resulted in the death of a child in Tual. The KPAI considers this incident not only a violation of the law but also a violation of children’s rights, and urges law enforcement to implement severe criminal provisions in accordance with the Child Protection Law.
The case of the abuse of a Brimob officer in Maluku has re-opened a national discussion regarding the professionalism of law enforcement officers, the institution’s internal oversight mechanisms, and the protection of citizens’ human rights. By taking the steps of the Maluku Police Chief to visit the victim and emphasize a transparent and firm legal process, it is hoped that public trust in law enforcement by the National Police can be restored and strengthened.