Putri Candrawati's Recognition Of Sexual Harassment Is Just An Excuse To Lighten The Sentence

Putri Candrawathi and Ferdy Sambo, two defendants who committed premeditated murder against Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat. (Between/Galih Pradipta)

JAKARTA The National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo during a meeting with Commission III of the DPR on August 24, 2022, gave a brief explanation regarding the motive for the death of Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat. He ensured that there were only two motives that were investigated, allegations of sexual harassment and infidelity.

When he received a report from Putri Candrawathi regarding the incident of decency, Ferdy Sambo's anger surfaced until the shooting of Yosua on July 8, 2022 at the Duren Tiga official residence, South Jakarta.

"There are no issues other than that (harassment or infidelity)," said Listyo Sigit.

However, until now, the public is still wondering what actually happened in Magelang one day before Yosua's death. If it is true harassment occurs, why will the police continue to hold Yosua's funeral in a official manner.

"If he was as you said earlier, sexually harassed you, of course he would not get that," said the judge at the trial on December 12, 2022.

Then, continued the judge, why did the police have to stop the report of the harassment case of Putri Candrawathi who had entered the South Jakarta Police?

"I'm sorry, Your Honor, I beg your permission, what happened was that Joshua committed sexual violence, threats, and persecution, and slammed me three times down, that's what really happened," said Putri, crying.

"Even if the Police give a funeral like that, I also don't know, maybe ask the National Police institution why can give awards to people who have raped and abused and threatened me as Bhayangkari," he added.

The judge continued to dig into Putri's confession. This is because three people who were at Magelang's house, namely Susi, Ricky Rizal, and Strong Maruf, admitted that they did not know exactly what incident of abuse by Yosua to Putri.

Susi, Ferdy Sambo's household assistant, at the November 9, 2022 hearing, admitted that she did not know that Yosua had sexually harassed Putri Candrawathi.

Ricky at the trial on December 5, 2022, admitted that he only learned that there had been sexual harassment in Magelang against Putri Candrawathi from Ferdy Sambo when she arrived at Saguling's House, Jakarta on July 8, 2022. He didn't even believe Yosua dared to do this.

"Harassed? When did he do it? So what is the form of harassment?" Ricky said telling the conversation with Ferdy Sambo in front of the panel of judges.

Likewise Strong Ma'ruf, another household assistant for Ferdy Sambo. On July 4, 2022, Strong saw that Yosua would carry Putri Candrawathi who was not feeling well. Transfer it from the sofa to the room.

However, according to Strong at the trial on December 5, 2022, That's not sexual harassment.

Strong had forbidden it. Then Yosua left and came back again with Richard totaling who was ready to help him carry, but Putri Candrawathi gave a reaction that she didn't want to be picked up.

Meanwhile, on July 7, 2022, Strong admitted that he did not know exactly the sexual harassment. He only saw Putri Chandrawati sitting weakly in front of the bathroom on the second floor of Magelang's house.

Apart from the absence of witnesses, Putri Candrawathi also did not try to prove the harassment she experienced through a post-mortem. With an educational background as a doctor, Putri should not ignore health procedures if sexual harassment does occur.

In daily life, according to the judge, Putri is even though she is classified as obedient in carrying out health procedures, she must come with a PCR swab. But why is it the opposite of the events in Magelang.

"Why don't you ever go to a doctor or at least check yourself?" he asked the judge at the trial on January 11, 2022.

"Your Majesty, actually after my incident I could only be silent and could not say anything, because I was confused and ashamed of what happened to me. And I don't know what to do," replied Putri.

The absence of witnesses and the results of the post-mortem does not mean that Putri Candrawathi only makes up stories that have experienced sexual harassment. Because, according to criminal law expert Mahrus Ali, from the perspective of the victim's victim's victim of sexual harassment, not all of them have the courage to report.

Victims are usually worried about experiencing victim abuse. Instead of protecting, the public tends to respond negatively by blaming the victim. Especially in his social status, Putri Candrawathi is the wife of a two-star general police officer.

So, we still need further proof. Mahrus, who was a witness to mitigating experts for the defendant Ferdy Sambo, said the evidence could go through a psychological test.

"Psicology can explain that, what for example? People who are raped must be traumatized, nothing after being examined is laughing," he said at the trial on December 22, 2022.

Forensic psychologist from the Indonesian Forensic Psychologist Association (Apsifor), Reni Kusumowardhani, at the previous trial concluded that Putri Candrawathi's statement regarding sexual harassment was trusted.

From the results of the examination, Putri's intelligence is classified as still at the average level of people her age. However, her ability to capture, process and store information and re-express what she remembers is very good.

Putri Candrawathi can develop logical and rational thinking. Understanding social stimulus from the environment to be able to respond appropriately and according to her beliefs.

"Putri has an understanding of good social values, but under certain conditions her behavioral planning in the social environment is relatively lacking. In a sense, she does not respond to the environment, including when facing one problem in her life," said Reni at the December 21, 2022 trial.

That is why, Putri Candrawathi has a high need for a figure who is able to give her a sense of security. Reni said, "There is a kind of emotional dependence on people who can become an object of dependence. In this case, like to her parents, to her husband, to the aides who are believed to be able to also if the aide gives him a sense of security. He will believe in that person."

"Likewise, related to sensitive matters that can lead to shame, fear, authority being threatened, it will be selective, but looking for a sense of security becomes a pattern that does exist in his personality," added Reni.

However, Reni emphasized that further legal investigation would still be needed. Decisions regarding this (sexual harassment) must have occurred or would not have happened, of course not in our capacity, but instructions in that direction."

A psychologist's certificate is a valid letter of evidence according to Article 24 paragraph (3) letter a of the Law on the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS Law).

Putri Candrawathi's statement as a victim of sexual harassment and proof of a psychologist's letter, when referring to Article 25 paragraph (1) of the TPKS Law is sufficient to prove her defense. It's just a matter of how the judge believes in it.

"The testimony of the witness and/or the victim is sufficient to prove that the defendant is guilty if accompanied by one other valid piece of evidence and the judge obtains the belief that it is true that a crime has occurred and it is the defendant who is guilty of doing it," reads Article 25 paragraph (1) of the TPKS Law as written in the book.

However, a criminal law expert from Trisakti University, Abdul Fickar Hadjar, interprets that the proof system can be used when the perpetrator is still alive.

In the case of Putri Candrawathi, according to Fickar, she still has to look for evidence of another comparison, not only with the victim's statement. "I believe the judge has considerations about it."

The defendant Putri Candrawathi will undergo a follow-up trial in the murder of Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat at the South Jakarta District Court next week. The agenda for the trial has entered the stage of reading the lawsuit by the public prosecutor.