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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Army came under scrutiny after an attack incident by its members on civilian residents in Desa Selamat, Sibiru-biru, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra on Friday night, November 8, 2024. This incident resulted in the death of Raden Barus, a 61-year-old elderly, and injuries to several other residents.
The perpetrators are suspected to be dozens of Indonesian Army members from the Artillery Battalion of Medan (Armed) 2/105Kilap Sumagan from the Main Command or Kodam I / Bukit Barisan (BB). Currently, the Commander of the Kodam or Pangdam Bukit Barisan, Lieutenant General Mochammad Hasan, apologized to the families of the deceased victims. He even offered to exchange his life for the victims.
"I, Lieutenant General Mochammad Hasan, Pangdam I/BB, express my deepest apologies for the incident that occurred," said Hasan while attending Raden Barus's burial process on Monday, November 11, 2024.
Tempo has summarized the facts of the attack incident by dozens of Indonesian Army members on civilian residents in Desa Selamat, Sibiru-biru, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra on Friday night, November 8, 2024.
1. The Incident Chronology According to the Indonesian Army
The chronology of events according to the Indonesian Army was conveyed by the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto. This four-star general said that the incident began when dozens of Indonesian Army soldiers reprimanded and disciplined a group of young people from a motorcycle gang.
"So it started with, yes, young people speeding on motorcycles, reprimanded by the members," said Agus.
He said that the reprimand was given because the motorcycle gang's activities had disturbed the public and disrupted traffic order. According to Agus, the motorcycle gang's activities on the road disturbed public order, so they needed to be disciplined.
However, he said, some residents did not accept the reprimand from the Indonesian Army personnel. "There was a verbal altercation, a fight, and then a mass brawl ensued," he said.
2. Residents' Version of the Attack Story
The Head of Dusun III in Desa Selamat, Binawati, recounted that the incident occurred at 9:30 PM. They received information from residents that there were muggers and motorcycle gangs entering the village. These muggers were reported to have beaten every man they encountered. It was later revealed that those who attacked the residents were soldiers from the Armed.
"They didn't discriminate, they beat any man they found. This is why residents from other villages passing through also got attacked," Binawati told the media on Monday.
The Indonesian Army soldiers were said to be searching for a missing comrade believed to have been abducted by the residents. Several houses of the residents were even broken into. After the Armed soldiers left, around 10:30 PM, Binawati received news that one of their residents, Raden, was found in a horrifying condition.
"Blood was coming out of his right ear. The left side of his head was soft. His left eye was gouged, the same as his chin. There was a cut on his right back and his left shoulder was bruised," Binawati said.
Raden initially came out of his house because he was worried that his grandson was involved in the confrontation with the attacking group. Unfortunately, the man in his sixties became the victim. Another resident who tried to help him was also assaulted. Raden was taken to the nearest clinic but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
"So this man has a grandson in Dusun IV. He thought his grandson was somehow involved with that motorcycle gang earlier. Before reaching his grandson's place, the man was brutally beaten," the village head said.
3. Victim's Testimony
An eyewitness and victim of this brutality, 18-year-old Rofika Tarigan, recounted the incident. He told the media that he didn't know the actual issue. That night, he happened to leave his house to go to a shop to buy cigarettes. That's when he encountered dozens of soldiers.
"I was pulled out of the house. Then I was beaten continuously by dozens of Armed members. After being injured, I was taken to the Armed barracks. I was treated like a criminal, even though I knew nothing," Rofika said on Monday.
Due to the beating and assault, Rofika suffered a tear on his head. His back was full of bruises from being hit by dozens of Armed members. His hands were also bruised and swollen, presumably from being hit with a gun.
"They were around 50 people. I saw some carrying batons and some with sharp weapons," she said.
Rofika mentioned that he and a few other residents were initially held at the Armed-2 Headquarters but were eventually released early on Saturday, November 9, 2024. After the attacks by the Indonesian Army members subsided, residents tried to save the victims of the assaults. It was reported that dozens of residents were injured and taken to hospitals.
They were initially treated at the Sembiring General Hospital. However, they were later transferred to Putri Hijau Hospital owned by Kodam I Bukit Barisan. Residents with minor injuries were able to go home after receiving treatment.
4. Number of Victims
The Head of Desa Selamat, Bahrun, said that so far, there were 13 residents injured in the Friday night attacks, with one fatality. One of the victims, Dedi Susanto, suffered severe injuries to his left hand. "His hand was almost severed and he is currently being treated at Putri Hijau Hospital," Bahrun said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Information at Kodam I Bukit Barisan, Colonel Dody Yudha, mentioned that 8 people had been transferred from Sembiring Hospital to Putri Hijau Hospital for intensive treatment. "There are 8 injured residents who have been transferred from Sembiring Hospital to Putri Hijau," said Dody.
5. Pangdam Bukit Barisan Investigates the Motive of the Attack
Pangdam Bukit Barisan is reportedly investigating the motive behind the attack by dozens of Indonesian Army soldiers on civilian residents. In a written statement, Colonel Dody stated that 33 Indonesian Army soldiers had been confirmed to be involved in the attack. He mentioned that the number of soldiers involved could still increase.
Dody stated that they and the local military police were conducting further investigations into the motive behind the attack by the Indonesian Army soldiers. Dody affirmed that they would thoroughly investigate the attack incident.
"Regarding the brawl incident involving Indonesian Army personnel, we assure you that we will thoroughly investigate it," Yudha said in his statement, quoted on Monday.
6. Pangdam Bukit Barisan Processes Dozens of Soldiers
Agus Subiyanto stated that through Pangdam I/Bukit Barisan, they had already processed dozens of Indonesian Army soldiers involved in the attack. When asked about what sanctions would be imposed, Agus said they were awaiting the investigation results. However, he assured that sanctions would be given if violations were proven.
"If (Army members) violate, there will be punishment," he said when met at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase, East Jakarta on Monday, November 11, 2024.
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