70 PTPN IV Simalungun Palm Oil Thieves Are Subjected To Social Sanctions, Clean Houses Of Worship

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As many as 70 suspects in the theft of palm fresh fruit bunches in PTPN IV's plantation in Tanah Jawa District, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, underwent social sanctions in the form of cleaning houses of worship and the surrounding environment.

This social sanction was given after the 70 suspects underwent a case settlement through a restorative justice mechanism facilitated by the Simalungun Police, North Sumatra Police.

"This decision is in accordance with PTPN IV's request that the suspect carry out social activities by cleaning mosques, churches, village offices, and PTPN offices," said Simalungun Police Chief AKBP Ronald F. C. Sipayung as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 5.

Ronald said that the 70 suspects were subject to social sanctions for one to three months, namely cleaning houses of worship, government agencies, and PTPN offices twice a week every Monday and Thursday.

"Of course this social sanction activity does not interfere with community activities, this activity is only carried out twice a week, Monday-Thursday, from 09.00 to 10.30 WIB," said Ronald.

Of the 70 suspects, 13 suspects have finished carrying out social sanctions for one month, while the rest are still undergoing social sanctions until October.

The social sanctions have been enforced since the Tanah Jawa Police implemented restorative justice against 64 cases involving 70 suspects.

Ronald said the 64 cases of palm oil theft occurred from 2021 to 2023, where there was one case in 2021, nine cases in 2022, and 54 cases in 2023.

Meanwhile, of the 70 suspects in the theft of palm oil, eight were housewives, while the rest were men aged 15-56 years.

Ronald emphasized that the implementation of restorative justice was implemented by the Tanah Jawa Police against cases that met six requirements as stipulated in Police Regulation (Perpol) Number 8 of 2021 concerning the Settlement of Criminal Acts based on Restorative Justice.

These requirements include, among others, that these cases are not repeated criminal acts, do not cause losses of more than Rp. 1 million, do not pose a threat to the community, and are not criminal acts of terrorism and drugs.

"Of course, we hope that this social sanction will have a deterrent effect, wearing a special vest will certainly create shame from the suspects, because it is witnessed by the public," said Ronald.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Tanah Jawa Police, Kompol M.Nainggolan, said that after undergoing social sanctions, the status of the cases of the suspects would be stopped or SP3.

Boby Dermawan (31), one of the suspects who received restorative justice, admitted that he regretted stealing three signs of palm oil because he was desperate for economic needs. At the time of the incident, the man who worked odd jobs needed money for household needs and at that time his parents were sick.

"Thank you for forgiveting us, because our position at that time really needed it. The sanctions given were quite light, but we gave it up, let alone seen by friends," said Bobbyy.