Wrongly Arresting a Straw Ice Merchant in Johar Baru, the Police Admit They Were Too Quick to Conclude and Apologize

JAKARTA - TNI and Polri members who are on duty in Kampung Rawa Village, Johar Baru District, Central Jakarta, admitted that they were too quick to draw conclusions so that they were able to secure a cork ice seller because they were suspected of using dangerous materials.

Bhabinkamtibmas Kelurahan Kampung Rawa Polres Metro Jakarta Pusat Aiptu Ikhwan Mulyadi said that the conclusion was drawn without waiting for the results of scientific examinations from authorized agencies, such as the Health Service, Dokpol, and the National Police Forensic Laboratory.

"We on the ground have concluded too quickly, without waiting for the results of scientific examinations from the authorities," Ikhwan said in his statement in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, January 27.

For this incident, Ikhwan apologized to the cork ice seller named Sudrajat who was directly affected. He emphasized that there was no intention to harm or tarnish the reputation of the trader.

He explained that the initial action taken by the police was a quick response to the report of the community who were restless and worried about the alleged circulation of dangerous food in their neighborhood.

As an officer in the field, said Ikhwan, his party felt obliged to follow up on the report by visiting the location and conducting an initial check.

"Our presence is a form of responsibility for the police in maintaining the safety of residents. Our intention is solely to educate so that no consumers are harmed," he said.

Previously, the Central Jakarta Metro Police ensured that the gabus ice that had gone viral on social media was safe and suitable for consumption. The results of the examination stated that the ice did not contain harmful substances such as polyurethane foam (PU Foam) or mattress foam material or washing sponge.

Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Central Jakarta Metro Police AKBP Roby Heri Saputra said the Food Safety Team of the Police (Dokpol) of the Metro Jaya Police had conducted a thorough examination of samples of cork ice, cake ice, agar-agar, and chocolate meses belonging to the trader.

"The results of the examination state that the product is safe to consume and does not contain harmful substances," said Roby.

The examination was carried out after a report from the public on Saturday that suspected the food was made from harmful ingredients. The suspicion was later proven to be untrue after laboratory tests were carried out.