2 NGO Members In Lampung Become Suspects In The Extortion Case Of Abdoel Moeloek Hospital

A non-governmental organization (NGO) who blackmailed the Abdoel Moeloek Regional General Hospital was arrested by the Lampung Regional Police and became a suspect. Lampung Province, Tuesday (23/9/2025). (ANTARA/Dian Hadiyatna)

JAKARTA - The Lampung Regional Police (Polda) have named two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as suspects in the extortion of the Abdoel Moeloek Regional General Hospital (RSUD).

"The two extortionists we have named as suspects are W and F," said Director of the Lampung Police Ditreskrimum Kombes Pol. Indra Hermawan, Tuesday, was confiscated by Antara.

He said, for their actions, the suspects were charged with multiple articles, namely Article 368 of the Criminal Code concerning extortion with a maximum imprisonment of 9 years.

"Then Article 369 of the Criminal Code concerning threats accompanied by defamation or disclosure of secrets with a penalty of up to 4 years and Article 2 paragraph (1) of the Emergency Law no. 12 of 1951 concerning possession of sharp weapons without a permit with a maximum threat of 10 years in prison," he said.

He said that the Lampung Regional Police emphasized their commitment to take firm action against all forms of extortion and threats, especially those committed by individuals who take refuge behind the names of community organizations or NGOs.

"We will carry out the legal process in a professional and transparent manner in accordance with applicable regulations," he said.

Indra also explained the chronology of the incident where the extortion began in July 2025, when suspect W contacted the victim, a public official, via WhatsApp text message.

"W introduced himself and started sending news links published on his portal. According to the victim, the news is not in accordance with the facts and has psychological emphasis," he said.

He said intimate messages continued to be sent by the suspect, including threatening statements such as 'perhaps I would enter in an animal way' when the victim did not respond to further communications.

"The peak occurred on September 18, 2025, when the victim received information regarding the planned demonstration which was initiated by NGO Gepak Lampung and the Lampung Task Force, with the demands of the management reform of RSUD Dr. H. Abdul Moeloek. Allegedly, this action was used as a means of pressure against the victim," he said.

Then, he continued, the victim sent a staff member with the initials S to meet with W and F. During the meeting, the suspect asked for compensation in the form of two project packages each worth Rp. 200 million or cash payments of 20 percent (Rp. 80 million) so that the demonstration was canceled and negative news was stopped.

"S was unable to fulfill the request and only handed over Rp20 million on September 21, 2025. Not long after, the suspect again contacted the victim's representative, demanding remaining payments and making threats," he said.

He said, following up on the incoming report, Team Tekab 308 immediately carried out a search and arrest of the two suspects. During the arrest, the police also secured a black Toyota Rush vehicle with a police number that did not match the STNK documents.

"From the results of the search, two sharp weapons of the knife and sickle were also found which were stored in the perpetrator's vehicle," explained the Head of Public Relations.

In addition, he continued, several cell phones belonging to the suspect were also secured which were used in the communication, action proposal documents, and letters from the NGO coalition allegedly used as a means of pressure.

"Investigators also found that this case was not the first time carried out by the perpetrators, and there were other alleged victims who had not reported it. So we appeal to people who feel they have been victims of similar extortion not to hesitate to report to the Lampung Police," said Indra.