Karo Police Station Names 2 Suspects for Sidebu Debu Tourist Toll

One of the suspects is suspected of being a pungli perpetrator in the Sidebu Debu tourist area/ANTARA/HO-Karo Police

JAKARTA - The Tanah Karo Police has named two suspects in the case of alleged illegal levies against tourists at the Sidebu-Debu hot spring tourist attraction, Karo Regency, North Sumatra.

Karo Police Chief AKBP Pebriandi Haloho said the police also secured Rp694 thousand in cash, which was allegedly the result of a levy on visitors.

"Karo Police will take firm action against all forms of illegal levies that disturb the community and tourists," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 10.

The case began on Saturday (8/8) at around 18.00 WIB when a number of tourists, including AEG with his colleagues, passed by on the road to the Sidebu-Debu hot spring tourist attraction.

The tourists admitted that they were stopped by a group of people and asked to pay Rp10 thousand per person to be able to cross to the tourist area.

Receiving a report from the community, Karo Police personnel moved to the location and secured three people suspected of being involved in the collection practice.

The three people, each with the initials PS (48), HS (21), and PP, are all residents of Doulu Village, Berastagi District, Karo Regency.

The police also secured Rp694 thousand in cash, which was allegedly derived from the collection of visitors.

"From the results of the examination, the investigators named PS and HS as suspects. Meanwhile, PP was not proven to have committed illegal levies so that he was not named a suspect," said Pebriandi.

Investigators are still investigating the alleged involvement of other parties in the case. The police also arrested AFT (19), a resident of Doulu Village, on Sunday (9/8) to undergo an examination.

"From the results of the examination of the two suspects, there are indications of the involvement of other parties. We are still investigating the person concerned and further investigation will be carried out to determine additional suspects," he said.

Both suspects were charged with Article 482 paragraph (1) letter a of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code with a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.

After three people were secured, a number of local residents had blocked access to the road in front of the former 2 Collection Post. As a result, vehicles could not pass to the tourist area.

"Karo Police immediately took a persuasive step by giving an appeal to the community. On Sunday (9/8), residents finally agreed to reopen the road access," he said.

Currently, access to the Sidebu-Debu hot spring bath area has returned to normal and can be passed by the community and tourists.

To anticipate security disturbances and prevent illegal levies, the Karo Police together with related agencies established an integrated security post in the area.

The security post involved personnel from the Karo Police, Kodim 0205/Tanah Karo, Satpol PP, and the Karo Regency Tourism Office.

"We will continue to monitor the tourist locations with related agencies so that the public feels safe and comfortable," said Pebriandi.

The Police Chief emphasized that the police would not tolerate illegal levies or actions that could disrupt tourism activities in Karo Regency.

"There are legal provisions and we will take firm action against any violations of the law that occur," he said.

He also appealed to the public and tourists not to worry about visiting various tourist attractions in Karo Regency.

"We guarantee the safety of tourists. Please come and enjoy the tourist attractions in Karo Regency without fear. If there are disturbances or extortion, immediately report to the officers on duty," he said.