Danrem: The Beating Of Civilians In Serang Banten Is Triggered By Alcohol And Misunderstanding

Commander of Korem 064/Maulana Yusuf Infantry Colonel Andrian Susanto (two right) gave a press statement at Bhayangkara Hospital, Serang City, Monday (21/4/2025). ANTARA/Devi Nindy

BANTEN - Commander of the Military Resort Command (Korem) 064/Maulana Yusuf Infantry Colonel Andrian Susanto said the incident involving two members of the TNI and a number of civilians in Serang City, Banten, Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in the morning, was triggered by the influence of alcohol and misunderstandings.

"The mode of this incident is influenced by alcohol," Andrian said at a press conference related to the case in Serang City, Antara, Monday, April 21.

Danrem also stated that his party was still investigating the possibility of drug involvement, both from military and civilian elements. Andrian explained that the perpetrators of the beatings were a group that used to gather outside of service hours.

Initially, members of the TNI who were involved in the beating were visiting a colleague's house whose child died.

After the pilgrimage, they met with several civilians and gathered in one of the residential areas to drink alcohol.

As the group walked towards the square, there was ridicule that sparked a commotion.

"The raid was actually not from his TNI members, but from a civilian friend who eventually provoked a response to the surrounding community and there was a misunderstanding and a fight," said Andrian.

The first violent action took place in front of the Banten Bank Office, Ahmad Yani Street, Serang City. After the incident, the group moved to the second location in the rented area 27, Cipocok Jaya, until further persecution occurred which resulted in the perpetrators being offended by the victim's words.

"So, the perpetrator felt that there was a conveyation from the victim that offended him. That was the trigger for the incident at the second crime scene," said Danrem.

He emphasized that the victim had no relationship or prior knowledge of the perpetrator. Pure events occur due to the influence of alcohol and provocations between groups.

Two members of the TNI who have been named as suspects are Pratu MI and Pratu FS, both from the Denma Korem 064/Maulana Yusuf unit.

Currently, the two TNI members have been detained in Denpom 034/Serang to undergo further investigation. Meanwhile, the civilian perpetrators are handled by the Serang City Police.

Andrian also said investigators would conduct further investigations regarding disciplinary violations, considering that the incident occurred outside of service hours.

He emphasized that if found guilty, the suspects could be subject to sanctions for dismissal and legal proceedings through the Military Court.

"Of course we will process this quickly and transparently. Law enforcement must be carried out clearly," he said.