Makassar Teen Killed by Police, Commission III DPR: No Impunity for the Apparatus

Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Abdullah, strongly condemned the tragedy of the death of Bertrand Eko Prasetyo (18) due to the police's hot lead in Makassar.

He asked the National Police to thoroughly investigate the case transparently and provide severe sanctions to maintain the dignity of the institution and public trust.

Abdullah emphasized that the lives of civilians should not be lost due to negligence of procedures. He urged the police to openly reveal the facts to avoid wild speculation in the community.

"This case must be thoroughly investigated transparently. If negligence or violation of procedures are found, the perpetrators must be given firm sanctions. Do not let there be an impression of impunity for the police," said Abdullah, Wednesday, March 4.

It is known that this tragic incident began when the victim was allegedly involved in a brawl using a water jelly toy gun on Jalan Toddopuli Raya, Makassar, Sunday, March 1. In the process of securing by Iptu N, the officer's firearm exploded and hit the victim's back to death.

Abdullah reminded that the use of firearms had been strictly regulated in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and could only be used as a last resort when the situation threatened life.

"Police must be professional and proportionate. The use of firearms should not be done casually because the risk is very large for the safety of the community. This must be a momentum for a thorough evaluation of the procedures for using weapons in the field," he said.

The member of the legal commission also underlined that the incident in Makassar added to the long list of firearms violence by the police against civilians. Abdullah encouraged the National Police to tighten supervision, training, and discipline for members who hold firearms permits so that similar incidents do not recur.

Abdullah also ensured that Commission III of the DPR would closely monitor this legal process, both ethically and criminally, in order to provide justice for Bertrand's family.

"Law enforcement must be fair. We will continue to monitor so that the legal process is objective and provides a sense of justice for the victims' families. Every action of the police must be based on the principle of accountability," he concluded.