Head of Department and Staff in Halmahera Barat Become Suspects in Assault Case
In a shocking turn of events, the Head of the Department of Industry, Trade, and Cooperatives (Disperindagkop) in Halmahera Barat, Maluku Utara, Demisius O. Boky, along with his staff member Riksony Boky, have been identified as suspects in a case involving assault and battery on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
The two individuals were apprehended by the police after a video surfaced showing them physically attacking a resident named Hardi Jafar during a demonstration at the Disperindagkop office regarding the scarcity of kerosene on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage among the public.
Suspects Officially Charged and Detained
Following a thorough investigation, the Head of the West Halmahera Police Department, AKBP Erlichson Pasaribu, declared that Demisius Boky and Riksony Boky, also known as Sony, have been designated as suspects under Article 170 paragraph 1 in conjunction with Article 351 paragraph 1 and Article 55 paragraph 1 of the Indonesian Criminal Code related to acts of assault and battery.
As a result of their actions, both suspects face a maximum sentence of 6 years in prison. They are currently being held at the West Halmahera Police Station until January 28, 2025.
Details of the Incident Unfold
The incident transpired when Hardi visited the Perindagkop office in Hatebicara Village, Jailolo District to voice concerns about the shortage of kerosene. Hardi recounted that he arrived alone for the demonstration, driven by the frustration over the exorbitant prices of kerosene reaching Rp9,000 to Rp10,000 per liter.
In light of these troubling events, it is imperative for the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that justice is served for the victims of this assault. The community’s trust in public officials and their commitment to upholding the law must be upheld at all times to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. Let this case serve as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in governance, as any abuse of power cannot and should not be tolerated.
