October 24, 2025 | 12:09 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform has expressed regret over the Supreme Court’s decision to reduce the life imprisonment sentences of two former Navy personnel involved in the shooting of a car rental company’s boss to 15 years.
Al Araf, a representative of the coalition, said the ruling reflects the persistent culture of impunity and the weak commitment to equal law enforcement in Indonesia.
“Instead of demonstrating justice, the decision for soldiers who committed crimes is far from satisfactory,” he said via WhatsApp on Friday, October 24, 2025.
“The rule of law and the security sector reform agenda have not been achieved even after more than twenty years of reform,” Al Araf added.
On September 2, the Supreme Court overturned the life sentences for Chief Petty Officer Bambang Apri Atmojo and Sergeant Akbar Adli, previously handed down by cassation courts.
Both were involved in the shooting at the rest area KM45 on the Tangerang-Merak Toll Road on January 2, 2025.
The Supreme Court’s verdict reduced their sentences to 15 years in prison and ordered them to pay restitution to the victims’ families.
Bambang Apri was ordered to pay Rp209 million to the deceased victim’s family and Rp146 million to the injured victim, while Akbar Adli was required to pay Rp147 million and Rp73 million, respectively.
Another defendant, Sergeant Rafsin Hermawan, saw his sentence reduced from four years to three. The dismissal from military service remains in place for all three Navy personnel involved.
Al Araf stressed that lenient sentences for military personnel are not isolated incidents. Shortly before this ruling, Military Court I-02 Medan issued a reduced sentence for TNI Sergeant Riza Pahlivi, who was involved in a fatal student abuse case, cutting his sentence by ten months.
Such rulings, he said, often spark public outrage as they are perceived as unjust and lighter than sentences for minor crimes.
“The coalition urges the government and the House of Representatives to immediately revise Law No. 31/1997 concerning the Military Judiciary,” Al Araf said.
Muhammad Isnur, another coalition representative, highlighted the need for reform given that military trials are often closed, leaving civilian victims of military violence with limited access to justice.
“The pattern of reducing sentences for military personnel shows that the legal process becomes closed, unequal treatment occurs, and disproportionate sentences are issued. The law seems to favor uniforms and ranks over justice,” Isnur said.
He added, “Revising the Military Judiciary Law is non-negotiable. All common crimes involving the military should be tried in civilian courts, while preventing external intervention.”
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