Member Of Commission III Of The House Of Representatives Encourages Search For Missing Iptu Tomi Marbun When Chasing KKB

The Head of Public Relations of the West Papua Police, Kombes Ongky Isgunawan (center), at a press conference related to the third phase of search operations, Iptu Tomi, which will be carried out next week. (ANTARA/Fransiskus Salu Weking)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Gilang Dhielafararez, urged the search for the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bintuni Bay Police, Iptu Tomi Samuel Marbun, who was missing while carrying out the task of carrying out the operation to crush the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) on December 18, to continue until it was found.

Gilang regretted that the search for Iptu Tomi, which had been missing several months ago, had been temporarily suspended. According to him, the termination of the search without clear results is a violation of human rights (HAM) and citizens' rights guaranteed by the constitution.

"The state must not remain silent when one of its servants is lost in duty. Every citizen has the right to legal protection, and the state must not ignore those who are lost in state duties," said Gilang Dhielafararez, Wednesday, March 19.

Iptu Tomi has been missing for three months. Iptu Tomi was initially reported missing slipping until he was swept away in Rawara River, Meyah Lama Village, West Moskona District, Bintuni Bay on December 18, 2024.

Iptu Tomi led the operation to arrest KKB member, Marthen Aikinggin, who is a DPO for a murder case. Later, the search operation against Iptu Tomi was then stopped on December 31, 2024 without any follow-up.

Gilang assessed that stopping the search for Iptu Tomi did not provide justice for the victim's family. He emphasized that the National Police as the institution that oversees Iptu Tomi Marbun must ensure that there is justice for the victim's family and complete this case.

"The termination of the search for Iptu Tomi is injustice for his family. Human rights must be upheld and the Police are obliged to provide protection for their personnel in every task they carry out," said Gilang.

On the other hand, Gilang said that Commission III of the DPR in charge of law enforcement affairs and partnering with the National Police also highlighted the many irregularities in the case of the loss of Iptu Tomi. Including the difference in the chronology version of the loss of Iptu Tomi and the lack and slow search that is carried out both on the day of the incident and the times after.

"Some of the other special things that are of special concern are because there are no clear witnesses regarding the incident of the loss of Iptu Tomi," he said.

In addition, Commission III also highlighted allegations of threats to families and co-workers who were trying to find out the facts or clarity of the loss of Iptu Tomi, so that there was no transparency in the police report regarding the progress of the search.

There are indeed many irregularities in this incident. His wife also told me that after the incident, the cellphone (HP) and the victim's personal belongings were returned to the family. Usually, the cellphone is brought by everyone themselves, right? If Iptu Tomi is missing, but why is his cellphone there, "explained Gilang.

"Yesterday there was a story when the wives of other members gave support to Riah's brother, instead they were scolded by the wife and leadership of the Police there. What is this? How strange is this. Sympathy and empathy are humane things," he added.

Gilang ensured that Commission III of the DPR would continue to oversee the case of the loss of Iptu Tomi both personally and as a member of the DPR Law Enforcement Commission. He said that members of Commission III of the DPR when RDP and Iptu Tomi's wife also provided the same support.

"We from Commission III of the DPR ask not to stop here, and the Police continue to search according to the applicable regulations. We also ask that everything be examined, because there is a lot of different information and confusing information regarding the loss of Iptu Tomi," said Gilang.

Gilang also said that the National Police must immediately deploy a professional fact-finding team to conduct searches using a more effective method in accordance with the conclusions of the Commission III meeting together with Iptu Tomi's wife.

The National Police has a moral and professional responsibility. This is one of the best personnel missing, who are willing to be assigned to vulnerable areas. If the Police are not serious about finding and investigating the loss of Iptu Tomi, it will certainly be a big question mark," he concluded.

Previously, Iptu Tomi's wife, Riah Tarigan, complained about the case of her husband's disappearance, who had not yet followed up her search for Commission III of the DPR on Monday, March 17. Riah asked the DPR for help so that her husband's search would continue.

Moreover, according to Riah, the story of the loss of Iptu Tomi continues to change the police version. He and his family also found many irregularities during the search process.

The first version, according to the Deputy Chief of the Bintuni Bay Police, Kompol Ade Luther Far-Far, the longboat that Tomi was traveling in while on duty overturned in the river. The second version came from the former Bintuni Bay Police Chief, AKBP Choiruddin Wachid who explained to Riah, Tomi fell from a longboat but no one was aware.

The last version was conveyed by the Head of Resmob of the Bintuni Bay Police, Brigpol Roland Manggarouw, who took part in the operation. Tomi is said to have been swept away by the river current and could not be helped. Even at the beginning of the report, the police stated that the person who was reported missing was not initially Iptu Tomi but his colleague who was involved in the KKB pursuit operation at that time.

In the conclusion of the Hearing Meeting (RDP) and the General Hearing Meeting (RDPU) of Commission III of the DPR with the wife of Iptu Tomi Marbun, on Monday, March 17, the Commission for the field of law asked the National Police Chief to immediately form a fact-finding team related to the loss of Iptu Tomi Samuel Marbun.

Commission III of the DPR also asked the West Papua Regional Police to carry out search and rescue operations again for the loss of Iptu Tomi Samuel Marbun with the best efforts including collaborating with all other relevant parties in accordance with statutory provisions.

Commission III of the DPR encourages the West Papua Regional Police to carry out complete and thorough supervision and evaluation of the problems related to the loss of Iptu Tomi Samuel Marbun and report it to the family of Iptu Tomi Samuel Marbun in a complete and transparent manner.