Corporate Restructuring: Polri at stake, Foreign Media Keep Silent?

His body was delivered to his family 3 days after the murder. At first the family members were not allowed to open the coffin. This is an abstinence in Batak culture! They must perform “mangandungi”, a ritual mourning the dead body.

Apparently, the 2 policemen, Mr.Simatupang and Brig.General Hendra Kurniawan that delivered the body, at first forbade the family to open the coffin.

Terrible indeed, unacceptable for disrespecting Batak culture! Even worse, significant evidences of crime scenes, like the victim's belongings especially his 3 cel phones, a lap top, are still missing or eliminated, including the CCTVs were either broken or taken away.

The crime has captured the attention of hundreds of millions of Indonesians, including those Indonesian diasporas all over the world  due to various awkwardness of the case being reported. The family members of the victim demanded a second autopsy though Brigadier J had been buried. Now it is pending the 2nd autopsy report. The case was initially reported as a "shootout" between the 2 police officers.

Then finally it was revealed that the victim was shot to death by his  colleague, also a police officer named Bharada E under the instruction of General Ferdy Sambo.  As it now stands, Bharada E has confessed he  took 3 shots before before General Sambo finished Brigadier J with 2 shots in the head. Now Bharada E  requested for security protection as justice collaborator.

This murder case is like  an earthquake in the police force.Thus, Hell broke loose or Americans say Shits hit the fan! The explosion  magnitude is massive  that todate it has dragged 83 police officers for possible charge of conspiracy or cover up. At least 5 of them are generals.

Some of them have been removed, in fact already fired from their positions, most are still under custody pending for  the on going code of ethic investigation that may lead to criminal trials  in the near future. Amazingly General Sambo has managed to influence these guys to support him covering up the truth. The motive of the murder thus remains mysterious, such that colorful and wild public opinions are emerging daily.Yet no foreign media care the least reporting the news.

Here in USA, no such news has ever been reported by CNN, The Washington Post, New York Times, CNBC; not even our Indonesian neighbor Channel News Asia Singapore, 45 minutes away by ferry boat ride from Batam. People in Indonesia have long suspected that  Indonesian police force is probably one of the most corrupt police institutions in the world.  But this does not mean that the USA or other developing countries do not have corrupt COPS?

Remember  decades  ago the world was shocked by the American horrific murder case of Nicole Brown by her husband,the famous  football player, Mr. OJ Simpson.And he got away. But this Brigadier J murder case is a much bigger magnitude  than the ordinary criminal case of O.J. Simpson's  because it may be revealing a grand scandal that depicts the real "mafioso style business "in the Indonesian police force people have suspected along time.

Not only just a  planned murder, it is an extraordinary crime committed by  a person with the highest rank in the police force, with attempted cover up by more than 80 policemen. The crime is so strongly ingrained in the sight of the people with power.

The police only shares that General Ferdy Sambo confessed he ordered the killing under emotional pressure that his wife was a victim of sexual harrasment by Brigadier J. The story was then overturned due to no evidence or lie. Now the cover up of the true motive still continues to be an unanswered $6 million dollar question.

Many local media storm the changing story of the murder motive daily, night and day endlessly. Surprisingly, none of the foreign media    mentioned above care the least about what's going on in this nation of 270 million, presidency of G20 countries, supposedly recognized as one of the most  democratic countries in the world with the largest Moslem population.

In fact, it is the largest police force in Southeast Asia now at stake loosing its people's respect. Like a Korean soap opera with new scenarios of the murder motive popping up daily creating wild rumors ranging from  triangle love story to drug trafficking and illegal gambling cartels.

The known 5 suspects, including  General Sambo and his wife are now in custody. This major crime will focus on the justice for Brigadier J; police institution for possbile conspiracy/ cover up; the obstruction of Justice eliminating the  evidences of the murder case; and the false report during the investigation.

Most likely after that code of ethics process, those policemen will face criminal trials under the Indonesia criminal court system. People appreciate the consistent struggle of the victim's family lawyers representing two of the largest BATAK family clans of Simanjuntak and Hutabarat. They have vowed to fight till the end seeking  justice for the victim.

According to the criminal law expert, the late Prof. J.E. Sahetapy in the hands of crooked  lawyers who are prepared to sell their souls for material gains,  criminal cases like Brigadier Joshua murder case  can be manipulated. The "unique"  Indonesian court system may set free the real criminals. This is a public secret,  because money and power play a major role in the justice system.

General Sambo is a  strong man, 2 star general, Head of Military Police, Chief of Satgassus that handles big cases of drug traficking, terrorism, and illegal gambling. Rumors say there are big monies  involving the drug and on line gambling cartels. The local media and journalists alraedy call it "the mafia gang" in the police force that now hunts Polri. Kapolri General Listyo Sigit Prabowo is under pressure restructuring the police force at full steam.

Thanks to people, the media, and President Jokowi who has demanded the four star general police chief to ensure the case to be tried in the most transparent way. Thus, it is like the chairman of the board of directors of a corporation/ group of companies, instructed the CEO to exercise the corporate action restructuring the police Institution ASAP.

Of course Kapolri Listyo Sigit has to do it, though squashed between a hard rock and fire wall set by the powerful drug and gambling cartels among his immediate subordinates.

Remember the case of Pablo Escobar, the famous Colombian drug Lord that shocked the world decades ago? Escobar was  a civilian controlling the military and police forces. Netizens say it might be the general being the modern Escobar? In Bahasa Indonesia they call it "BETI”. Let us hope that this Brigadier J murder case may not turn out to be a similar Pablo Escobar phenomena. We hope that President Jokowi's homework will continue  to carry out this "corporate action course" by restructuring many more respectful institutions.

Not only a clean up on the Police Institution (Polri), but also other esteem institutions, such as Kejaksaan Agung (The Attorney General Office), DPR, BUMN and those under his authority. People are hopeful he will continue to undertake the "corporate restructuring process" in those institutions that impact this God blessed  beautiful country.

For those foreign media,  may I suggest that your journalists should proactively help our local media report this "Mega murder case" to the world. Donot just watch and keep quiet!

*Author is Corporate Advisor and Diaspora living in LA