Commission III Of The House Of Representatives Calls Sentences 14 Months In Prison For UGM Student Collision Cases Not Reflecting Justice

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives Abdullah, said that the decision of the Sleman District Court, Yogyakarta, which sentenced Christiano Tarigan to 1 year and 2 months in prison, the perpetrators of the collision of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) students did not reflect the sense of justice for the community. He considered that the light sentence showed that the law did not respect human life equally.

"When losing his life is only rewarded with a year and two months of punishment, the public's sense of justice becomes an open wound. This is not just a matter of positive law, but a matter of state morale in protecting its citizens," Abdullah said, Saturday, November 8.

According to Abdullah, the verdict was procedurally valid, but did not fulfill the aspect of substantive justice. "This light version not only injures the victim's family, but also does not reflect justice. This decision shows how our criminal justice system still fails to provide a deterrent effect for the perpetrator and respect for human life," he stressed.

Abdullah also highlighted the alleged replacement of the perpetrator's vehicle number plate shortly after the accident, which caused a public perception that there was an attempt to obscure legal facts. According to him, this adds to injustice and can erode public confidence in law enforcement officials.

"The slightest action in the legal process must be taken seriously. If the alleged manipulation of facts is not resolved, the public will consider the law to be only sharp downwards and blunt upwards," Abdullah explained.

Furthermore, Abdullah encouraged this case to be a momentum to revise the criminalization policy in the Traffic Law. According to members of the House of Representatives commission in charge of legal affairs, negligence resulting in death should be categorized as heavier, with a minimum penalty limit that provides a deterrent effect and respect for human values.

In addition, Abdullah also emphasized the importance of the victim compensation mechanism to become a state obligation, not just moral mercy. "The recovery of victims is not enough to stop at the perpetrators, but it must be the responsibility of the state to guarantee complete justice," said the legislator from the Central Java VI electoral district.

Abdullah emphasized that law enforcement must bring a real sense of justice in the community. "Justice must not stop in the courtroom. It must be felt by the victim's family and believed by the public. If the light sentence continues to repeat itself, then the law loses its moral meaning," Abdullah concluded.

As is known, the Sleman District Court, DIY, sentenced Christiano Pengarapenta Pengidahen Tarigan, a BMW driver who hit and killed UGM student Argo Ericko Achfandi to death, on Jalan Palagan, Student Army. Argo is also a UGM student.

The verdict, which was read out on Thursday, November 6, was lighter than the demands of the public prosecutor who asked for a sentence of 2 years in prison. This verdict drew public attention because it was considered light, considering that it had caused the loss of a person's life.