Bahar bin Smith Becomes a Suspect in Abuse

JAKARTA - The Tangerang City Metro Police (Polres), Polda Metro Jaya, has named Bahar bin Smith as a suspect in the alleged case of persecution of members of the Tangerang City Ansor Serbaguna (Banser).

"We have determined the suspect and sent a call to the suspect (Bahar Bin Smith) to appear for questioning on Wednesday, February 4, 2026," said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Metro Tangerang City Police, AKBP Awaludin Kanur in Tangerang, Sunday.

According to him, the determination of the suspect to Bahar bin Smith was stated in the Letter of Notification of the Development of Investigation Results (SP2HP) Number B/43/I/RES.1.24/2026/Reskrim on Friday, January 30, 2026. Where previously investigators carried out the title of the case based on the results of the investigation that had been running since the police report was issued on September 22, 2025.

"This case is recorded in Police Report Number: LP/B/1395/IX/2025/SPKT/Polres Metro Tangerang Kota/Polda Metro Jaya," he said.

He said based on the results of the title of the case that had been carried out by investigators, the results stated that the status of Bahar bin Smith was raised from being reported to being a suspect.

However, the legal process handled by the Tangerang Metro Police investigation team will run professionally, transparently, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Bahar bin Smith in the case is suspected of Article 365 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) concerning theft by force and/or Article 170 of the Criminal Code concerning rioting and/or Article 351 of the Criminal Code concerning persecution, in conjunction with Article 55 of the Criminal Code concerning participation in committing a crime.

"The case of persecution occurred on September 21, 2025, where at that time Bahar bin Smith attended an event in the Cipondoh area, Tangerang City," he explained.

At the time of the incident, a Banser member then came to the location to listen to a lecture from Bahar. However, when the member approached and wanted to shake hands with Bahar, a group of people who were escorting the activity stopped him.

"The member was then taken to a room, and there was physical violence until he was battered," he said.