Investigating The Commotion In The Oil Palm Plantations, The West Kalimantan Regional Police Sends A Team To Ketapang

The Commander of the Mobile Brigade Unit of the West Kalimantan Police, Kombes Pol. Muhammad Guntur. ANTARA/Jessica HW

KALBAR - The West Kalimantan Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) has deployed an investigation team to investigate the commotion at the PT Arrtu Estate Kemuning oil palm plantation in Segar Wangi Village, Tumbang Titi District, Ketapang Regency, on May 28, 2022.

"We sent this team yesterday to investigate and trace the chronology of events. If there is a procedural error and any of our members are proven guilty, they will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions," said the Commander of the Mobile Brigade Unit of the West Kalimantan Police, Kombes Pol. Muhammad Guntur in Pontianak, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, May 31.

The West Kalimantan Police Mobile Brigade is currently deploying an investigation team by assigning the Provost Chief to go directly to the scene.

Regarding the presence of Brimob members at the plantation company's location, he explained, the presence of Brimob personnel at the company was in accordance with the main tasks of the National Police, namely maintaining security and order, law enforcement, providing shelter, protection, and services to the community.

"Based on that main task, the company asked us for security assistance because it was suspected that there were many cases of palm oil theft or looting in the company. Based on that, our members were at the company to carry out security," he said.

He emphasized that Brimob members did not suddenly receive a request from the company. "Yes, we did not agree (suddenly) we also accepted the request. Previously we had checked the palm oil company, whether (the handling of the masses) had complied with the rules or not," he said.

If it is in accordance with the rules, he said, then the Police will pay attention because there is a request. After that, the Mobile Brigade personnel were only deployed to provide security.

The presence of Brimob personnel to the company, according to him, was an official security measure. "There is a warrant, it's not wild, and we don't want it ourselves," he asserted.

Previously, the Head of Public Relations of the West Kalimantan Police, Jansen A. Panjaitan, said that the law enforcement by Brimob members was because residents suspected of stealing palm oil tried to seize the officers' weapons.

"Even a member of the BKO (under operational control) of the West Kalimantan Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) was hit on the left side of the head, on behalf of Brigadier Sandy Biantoro, who was then given a post-mortem," he said.

He explained that members of the Brimob BKO took law enforcement steps because residents were trying to seize weapons from members who were on duty.

He explained that the people who were hit by the bullets were Ji'i and Suharjo who were on the Ketapang Police's wanted list (DPO) with Number 23/IV.RES.1.8/2022/RESKRIM-IV with Police Report Number LP/B/162 /IV/2021/ SPKT dated April 19, 2021 for alleged acts of the Plantation Law Article 107 Jo Article Theft.