Former Ngada Police Chief Could Face 20 Years in Prison for Molestation, Expert Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Department has charged former Ngada Police Chief AKBP Fajar Widyadharma Lukman with multiple offenses related to the molestation of a minor.  

University of Indonesia criminal law expert Chudry Sitompul stated that the Public Prosecutor plays a key role in determining the maximum penalty.  

"It depends on the Public Prosecutor, whether the cases are merged or handled separately," Chudry said on Friday, March 14, 2025.  

If combined, he explained, the prosecutor would seek the harshest sentence plus an additional one-third.

"The most severe charge here is molestation or distributing pornographic content, which can lead to a 20-year sentence," he added.

Beyond the one-third increase, AKBP Fajar Widyadharma's sentence could be extended further if the Public Prosecutor identifies aggravating factors.  

One such factor is his role as a law enforcement officer, expected to protect the public, yet his actions have damaged the institution’s reputation. "I think he will receive a 20-year sentence," he stated.

Chudry stated that the layered sentencing, if the Public Prosecutor decides to separate the case files, will not be any less severe than combining them. Therefore, the defendant must serve different sentences for each case.

"After one is completed, it will continue with a case of sexual intercourse with a child, for example, if a 15-year sentence is imposed, it can be a total of 30 years," said Chudry.

He said that the imposition of layered sentences should be done if the Public Prosecutor wants to deter the perpetrator. AKBP Fajar Widyadharma has been proven to have committed the crime after undergoing questioning at the Indonesian National Police Headquarters, Jakarta.

Head of the Public Information Bureau of the Police Public Relations Division Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko stated that the former Ngada Police Chief was found to have violated the police code of ethics.

"The suspect is accused of involvement in the sexual harassment of a minor and illicit intercourse," Truno said at a press conference at the Police Public Relations Division, Jakarta, on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Head of the Profession Supervision and Development Bureau (Karowabprof) of the Police Professionalism and Security Division Agus Wijayanto mentioned that Fajar has been in detention since February 24, 2025, due to information on the criminal act committed by AKBP Fajar.

"This is a serious category. It involves multiple offenses. The Police Professionalism and Security Division will conduct an ethical hearing scheduled to take place on Monday, March 17, 2025," said Agus at a press conference in the Police Public Relations Division.

Although not yet subject to ethical sanctions, Agus said, Fajar Widyadharma has officially become a suspect and has been detained at the Indoneisan National Police Headquarters.

During the press conference, the former Ngada Police Chief was seen wearing an orange vest. For his actions, AKBP Fajar is considered to have violated Article 45 Section 1 juncto Article 27 Section 1 of the ITE Law, juncto Article 55 and 56 of the Criminal Code, and Article 6C.

In addition to criminal law, AKBP Fajar also violated the police code of ethics. Several rules violated by AKBP Fajar include Article 13 Section 1 of Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2003 concerning the Termination of Police Members, Article 8 Letter C Number 1, Article 8 Letter C Number 2, Article 8 Letter C Number 3, Article 13 Letter D, Article 13 Letter E, Article 13 Letter F, Article 13 Letter G Number 5, Police Regulation Number 7 of 2022 regarding the Code of Ethics of the Profession and the Police Code of Ethics Commission.

Disclaimer: To report any doubts or concerns related to child safeguarding, child sexual abuse, and/or violence against children, please contact the nearest authorities and/or relevant organizations. Child Helpline International at https://childhelplineinternational.org/helplines/ provides an extensive list of global helplines for accessible assistance and counseling services for children and young people. To report wrongdoings against children, including online child sexual abuse material and imagery, the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children at https://www.icmec.org/hotlines-and-helplines/ provides a list of global hotlines. 

If you’re in Indonesia, you can contact the Ministry of Social Affairs’ TePSA hotline at 1500771, or the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection’s SAPA Service 129 at 08111 129 129. For immediate dangers, call the police at Call Center 110.

Alif Ilham Fajriadi contributed to the writing of this article.

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