Mahfud MD: The Legal Process Of Syekh Ali Jaber Stabbing Goes On, Problem Mental Disorders Judge Deciding

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD emphasized that the speculation that the government is looking for a way to close the stabbing case of Sheikh Ali Jaber by calling the perpetrator, Alpin Andria, has a mental disorder is not true.

He said, speculation that this case could not be tried because the perpetrator of mental illness was already busy being blown by certain parties on social media. Many people said that this case would disappear just like the previous cases of stabbing the cleric because the perpetrator was said to have a mental disorder.

"Now for the Alpin, we, from the government through the National Police, have taken the position that Alpin will continue to be brought to court with serious actions or actions that have already been taken. Regarding illness or not, let the judge decide, the police cannot stop this," Mahfud told journalists, Wednesday, September 16.

"The judge will prove it, let the lawyer who defends him be mentally ill or not. There will be an advocate later. Yes, please be there," he added.

So, he asked for speculation that if the case will be closed it should be stopped. Moreover, until now the government has not believed that Alpin has mental disorders, such as his family admits.

"Maybe at the trial the judge will invite doctors to come there as expert witnesses. But if we don't believe it. At least don't believe it. Do not have any more speculation," said the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK).

In fact, to show the seriousness of the government to investigate the stabbing, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has ordered himself to invite related agencies such as BNPT, Polri, to BIN. This includes tracing cases of stabbing clerics with perpetrators who are said to have mental disorders.

Because, Mahfud saw that during 2016-2018 there were quite a number of incidents of violence against ulama then the perpetrator was declared mentally ill and the case was closed.

"So now it has been investigated again. In the past, maybe this was organized by the same person. We also read this. Organized by the same person," he said.

"Indeed, the condition can be declared insane, so it cannot be continued. But it can also be continued and submitted to the judge. This time we leave it to the judge, we will proceed to court," he said.

Previously, the Head of Police Public Relations Division, Inspector General Argo Yuwono, had denied the rumors circulating about the suspect that the stabbing of Sheikh Ali Jaber, Alpin Andria was released. Because, until now, Alpin Andria is still in the prison cell of the Bandar Lampung Police.

"There are several issues that are developing. For example, there are circulating on social media that the suspect has been released by investigators. These are all untrue," said Argo.

In fact, Alpin is currently still undergoing an intensive examination. Investigators are still digging up his statement about the stabbing. Because, the motive behind Alpin's action has not been revealed.

"So it is still in the cell and investigators are currently undergoing further investigation," said Argo.

In addition, investigators will also carry out a reconstruction plan which is planned to be carried out on Thursday, 17 September. So that it is possible to find new facts in the case.

"Tomorrow there is reconstruction, so we will act out what the scene will be like. Some scenes will be performed by the suspect, performed by the suspect in the reconstruction tomorrow," he concluded.