The police have yet to identify a suspect in the fatal shooting of SMK and GRO student Gamma Rizkynata Oktafandy (17). The incident is allegedly linked to a member of the Semarang Police’s narcotics unit, Aipda Robig Zaenudin, who is accused of firing the fatal shots early sunday, November 24th. Despite this,two weeks have passed with little progress in the investigation.
Adding to the frustration, Gamma’s family has reported the case to the Central Java Police and it has even entered the investigation stage. However, the ethical trial against Aipda robig has been repeatedly postponed.
Last week, the Professional and Public Relations Division (Propam) of the Central Java Police cancelled the ethical trial at least twice. While initially scheduled for Wednesday, December 4th, the trial was then moved to Friday, December 6th. But this was then postponed again without a clear rescheduled date,according to Subambang,a spokesperson for the victim’s family.
The Propam Division cites the need to complete the case files as the reason for the continuos delays. Kombes Artanto, the Public Relations Head of the Central Java Police, stated this as the reason for the postponement.
In a separate progress, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Division, Komjen Wahyu Widada, has assured the public that his team is providing full support to the handling of this case. He emphasizes that the investigation will be conducted accurately and transparently, adhering to all legal procedures. Wahyu also stated that the criminal Investigation Division will investigate the discrepancies in the chronology of events provided by the Semarang Police Chief Kombes Irwan Anwar and the Head of the Central Java Police’s Professional and Ethical Division, Kombes Aris Supriyono. He mentioned that if needed, the Semarang Police Chief could be summoned for questioning.
Meanwhile, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has concluded that Aipda Robig’s actions constitute a human rights violation. This conclusion was reached after a three-day observation in Semarang from November 28th to 30th.
Komnas HAM, following the collection of witness testimonies, including from the Central Java Police, the Semarang Police, the Professional and Ethical Division of the Central Java Police, the victim’s family, and other relevant parties, concluded that the shooting was a violation of several human rights. It was deemed a violation of the right to life (Article 9 paragraph (1) of the 1999 Human Rights law) and an extrajudicial killing. the shooting resulted in the death of Gamma and injuries to two other teenagers.
Komnas HAM also found that the actions violated the right to be free from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment (Article 33 paragraph (1) of the 1999 Human Rights Law). They believe that the shooting violates the principles outlined in Article 3 of the Police Regulation Number 1 Year 2009 on the Use of Force by the Police, namely legality, necessity, proportionality, general duty, preemptive action, and reasonableness. notably, the incident was considered a violation of the rights of children (Article 52 paragraph (1) of the 1999 Human Rights Law) as the three victims, including Gamma, S, and A, were all under 18 years old.
As an inevitable result of their findings, Komnas HAM issued several recommendations. They urge the Central Java Police Chief to ensure a fair,transparent,and impartial legal process,encompassing both ethical and disciplinary action against Aipda Robig. Komnas HAM also recommends the Head of the Indonesia’s Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) to prioritize the protection of witnesses and victims in this case, including providing support to the victims’ families.
The National Police Commission (kompolnas) has also urged the Central Java Police to expedite the conclusion of both the criminal and ethical proceedings in this case.
They hope for a decision regarding the ethical trial and the designation of a suspect and the appropriate charges by the following week.
How can community engagement influence police accountability in incidents like the shooting of Gamma Rizkynata Oktafandy?
Interview between Time.news Editor adn Legal Expert on the shooting Incident of Gamma Rizkynata Oktafandy
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone, too another enlightening installment of our interview series. Today, I’m joined by dr.Sarah Hidayat, a legal expert specializing in criminal law and ethics. We’re here to discuss the alarming shooting incident involving 17-year-old Gamma Rizkynata Oktafandy. As we understand, this tragic event is tied to a member of the Semarang Police’s narcotics unit. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Hidayat.
Dr. hidayat: Thank you for having me.It’s a pleasure to be here, especially to discuss such pressing issues.
editor: two weeks have passed since the incident, and regrettably, there seems to be little progress in the investigation. What are your thoughts on the procedural aspects regarding police accountability in cases like this?
Dr. Hidayat: It’s deeply concerning, isn’t it? In cases involving law enforcement, there should be a clear protocol for accountability, especially when a police officer is implicated in a criminal act. The delay in identifying a suspect and progressing the investigation raises notable questions about clarity and integrity within the police force. The fact that we’re still waiting for a concrete response after two weeks is both alarming and frustrating for the victim’s family and the community.
Editor: Absolutely. Gamma’s family has taken the necessary steps by reporting the case to the Central Java Police. How significant is it for families to pursue these avenues, and what are the next steps if they feel the investigation is stalled?
Dr. Hidayat: It’s crucial for families to actively engage with law enforcement when they feel that justice is not being served. Documentation of every communication with the police is important. If they believe that the investigation is stagnating—or that there’s a lack of commitment—they can escalate the complaint to a higher authority or even contact oversight agencies that monitor police conduct. Legal depiction can also be critical to ensure that their voices are heard.
Editor: In this particular case,there’s mention of an ethical trial against Aipda Robig Zaenudin. Could you elaborate on what this entails,and how it would work if the police themselves are under scrutiny?
Dr. Hidayat: An ethical trial, in this context, would usually meen an internal review process conducted by the police department or an independent body tasked with investigating misconduct. This process is integral as it not only addresses potential criminal charges but also evaluates the officer’s adherence to departmental policies and ethical standards. However, there can be challenges, such as possible bias or a lack of transparency in the internal review, which is why external oversight is pivotal as well.
Editor: Given the seriousness of the allegations, what impact do you think this will have on public trust in the police, particularly in Semarang?
Dr. Hidayat: Trust in law enforcement is foundational for a functional society. Incidents like this can severely damage community trust, especially if they perceive that justice is not being fairly administered. The longer the investigation drags on without ample results,the more frustrated and distrustful people may become. It’s important for the police to communicate openly with the community and demonstrate that they are taking the necessary steps towards accountability.
editor: That’s a very insightful perspective. Lastly, what can communities do to support victims’ families during such difficult times?
Dr. Hidayat: Community support can be crucial. This includes organizing peaceful protests to raise awareness, providing emotional and legal support to the families, and fostering dialog between citizens and law enforcement. Engaging in community discussions about police conduct and responsibilities can advocate for reform and promote restorative justice practices—ensuring that everyone understands their rights and the importance of accountability.
editor: Thank you, Dr. Hidayat, for your valuable insights on this tragic incident. It’s an critically important conversation that we need to keep having. We hope for justice for Gamma and her family and for a thorough investigation into the allegations against the police officer involved.
Dr. hidayat: Thank you for shedding light on this issue. It’s important that we all remain vigilant and supportive in the pursuit of justice.
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We’ll keep you updated on this situation as it unfolds. Stay safe, and until next time.