Ferdy Sambo's Death Sentence, This Is Palace's Statement

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko in Bandung, West Java, Wednesday 15 February 2023 (ANTARA)

BANDUNG - People within the Presidential Palace are responding to the death sentence against the accused Ferdy Sambo in the premeditated murder case of Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat or Brigadier J.

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said the death penalty for the accused in the premeditated murder of Brigadier J, namely Ferdy Sambo, had met the people's expectations.

According to him, the panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court (PN) had carried out their duties well in handling the premeditated murder case.

"I think the people's expectations have been met," Moeldoko said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, February 15.

He was also reluctant to comment further on the issue of Ferdy Sambo's sentence which could be reduced due to the new Criminal Code. But he said the punishment was very adequate.

"What we need to see is that the people's expectations and the judge's decision are very adequate," said Moeldoko.

Meanwhile, Expert Staff Office of the President (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin said the judge's decision was no longer subject to intervention by other parties. In addition, according to him, the legal rights of the accused have been guaranteed by law.

"So the judge's decision is final, for each of those who are sentenced there is a process that can be passed again. If he is sentenced to death, he can appeal and so on," said Ngabalin when accompanying Moeldoko.

According to Ngabalin, the death sentence for Ferdy Sambo is a warning to police officers in the country. This, he said, was in line with the vision of the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who wanted to improve the Bhayangkara Corps.

"You can imagine that in the history of this nation, there was an Inspector General of Police who was sacked and then sentenced to death in court. So at least this is a warning to all the extended family of friends in the Police," said Ngabalin.

Previously, Ferdy Sambo was sentenced to death by a panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court because he was found guilty of the premeditated murder of Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat (Brigadier J).

"Sentenced the defendant with the death penalty," said Chief Judge Wahyu Iman Santoso in a trial at the South Jakarta District Court (PN Jaksel), Jakarta, Monday, February 13.

The judge stated that Ferdy Sambo was legally and convincingly proven guilty of violating Article 340 subsidiary Article 338 junto Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code.

In addition, the judge considered that Ferdy Sambo had been proven to have violated Article 49 jo. Article 33 of Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law Number 11/2008 concerning ITE jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) 1st of the Criminal Code.