General Mayhem: The Killing of Brigadier J (2026) Movie Script
1
- Would he defy the commander?
- He wouldn't dare.
He's a good person.
I know him really well.
Leaders on the field
need to be strong and tough.
Subordinates are insolent.
Fire them. Take action.
That's how it's done.
- ...shootout between cops...
- ...residence of the head of Internal...
...Police Inspector General Ferdy Sambo...
That was a surprise.
This scandal caused quite a stir.
Brigadier J came in
and he assaulted the general's wife.
I ask for prayers that my wife
may quickly recover from her trauma.
The suspicious death
of the general's bodyguard,
Yosua Hutabarat,
has shocked the public.
SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE
To this day, it remains unclear, really.
THEY WILL KILL ME. FIND ANOTHER GUY.
WHO WANTS TO KILL YOU? WHY?
He told his girlfriend,
"This gang has a grudge against me.
They're going to finish me off."
Who could have done it?
Sambo, Sambo, Sambo.
Many unresolved issues
surrounding this case.
The surveillance cameras or CCTV
inside the house had long been broken.
The National Police headquarters
has questioned 56 or more individuals,
with 31 of those found to have violated
the code of ethics.
I'm worried, sir.
Those are mob-style tactics.
People wonder what the motive was.
Did Yosua know high-level secrets?
There was something that would have been
exposed had Yosua been allowed to live.
Once again the public asks,
"Why? Why?" and "Why?"
GENERAL MAYHEM: THE KILLING OF BRIGADIER J
In terms of major scandals,
I would say this is one of the biggest.
I heard about it from one of my producers.
ABRAHAM SILABAN
JOURNALISDuring an editorial meeting,
they mentioned a murder case.
There was a report that someone had died,
Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat,
at the residence of a police general,
Mr. Ferdy Sambo,
as a result of a shootout.
I knew the case would blow up.
JULY 9TH, 2022
JAMBI
790 KM FROM JAKARTA
Early on in the case...
it blew up on social media.
You sacrificed yourself! My son... No!
No!
Footage of a mother lamenting
the return of her son's lifeless body.
Followed by scenes of those parents
arguing with officials at their home.
Please open the coffin.
I have no idea what's inside.
Ma'am, how will you be able to bear
seeing the body after the autopsy?
- If you want--
- Let me, sir.
I can handle it because I'm the one
who gave birth to him.
God will give me strength.
For us... and I am Batak, of course,
this is a sacred tradition.
Let the mother who gave birth
to the deceased,
his parent, say her final goodbyes.
They weren't even allowed
to open the casket. Can you imagine?
That was what seemed rather suspicious.
She faced intimidation.
She was interrupted.
And that violated a tradition
that the Batak people have honored
for thousands of years.
Please let me, sir. Let me see my son.
When I first heard
Yosua's mother's wailing...
IRMA HUTABARARELATIVE / ACTIVIS...I couldn't sleep for two weeks.
In the Batak language,
there is a term called "Makuling Mudar."
"Makuling Mudar" means
that the blood resonates.
When a member of the Hutabarat clan
dies or suffers,
the others feel it too.
Yosua's mother mourned him with a sorrow
that defied words.
A mother who felt
that her son had died tragically.
Even though he is no longer here,
he is always present.
I can feel him constantly near me.
He often appears in my dreams.
He also comes to me
when I am lost in thought.
DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
BRIGADIER NOFRIANSYAH YOSHUA HUTABARAPOLICE
Interview with Ito Sumardi.
Take two, let's go.
HEAD OF
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (RETIRED)
To me, it felt like a drama.
At the time of the incident,
I was playing golf.
Then I was contacted
by the National Police Headquarters.
The National Police Chief ordered me
to meet the investigative team.
The case was actually quite simple
at that point.
Two of Mr. Sambo's subordinates
were in conflict,
they exchanged fire,
and one of them died.
Ferdy Sambo used to be my subordinate
and he was a good police officer.
That was my first impression.
He really enforced rules very strictly.
We are committed to ensuring
that reforms continue.
We, or I, as part of the National Police,
will continue to maximize those efforts.
The commander needs to be strong.
If the commander isn't strong,
we'll take him down.
Sambo has handled several major cases,
including the cyanide-laced coffee case,
the fire at the Attorney General's Office,
and the Joko Chandra Red Notice case.
At that time, I had hoped Ferdy Sambo
would reach the highest position,
at least the Chief or the head
of Criminal Investigation Agency.
He went in 2020. He brought documents
back here, then returned to Jakarta.
SAMUEL HUTABARAFATHER OF YOSUA
That was when he began working
for Mr. Ferdy, in 2020.
He used to tell us
that the boss and his wife were kind.
Whenever we asked about the job,
he only had good things to say,
he spoke well of them.
He never said a bad word about them.
His parents said,
"Yosua, you're a good man.
Your superior is proud of you.
Ferdy Sambo and Mrs. Putri Candrawathi
really love you.
You're regarded as part of the family."
NOFRIANSYAH YOSUA HUTABARAI met with Mr. Samuel Hutabarat.
Stay strong, sir.
Mr. Samuel told me
how deeply disturbed he was.
His son's reputation
was ruined by this case.
To make matters worse, his son was named
as a perpetrator of sexual harassment.
JULY 11TH, 2022
On Monday, July 11th,
I was in my office.
INSPECTOR GENERAL SAMBO
A call came in.
POENGKY INDARTI, LL.B, LL.M
It was Sambo.
COMMISSIONER
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
Why was Sambo calling me?
Sambo said,
"Ma'am, I'd like to invite you.
Would you be willing
to come to National Police HQ
for a discussion with me?"
I thought, "Okay.
That shouldn't be a problem."
I was the only woman commissioner
of the National Police Commission.
We strive to make the police force
more professional and independent.
I was always the only woman around.
For me, it was a challenge.
I had to show that I was
at least on par with my colleagues,
or perhaps even better.
In the afternoon,
I went to National Police Headquarters.
When I arrived,
I was immediately ushered into a room.
AWARD
FERDY SAMBO
Turns out it was Sambo's office.
I thought, "Why is it so dark in here?
And where are the others?"
Things were starting to feel strange.
Not long after, Sambo arrived.
"I need your help, Ma'am.
I'm facing a crisis.
My wife has been sexually assaulted."
That's what he said, and he was crying.
I was shocked.
How could something like that happen?
I felt deep sympathy regarding his wife.
I was concerned for her
if she truly was a victim.
I listened as he told his story.
"At the official residence, my wife
was resting when Yosua suddenly came in.
My wife was startled
and screamed, 'Richard!'"
Because she remembered
there were other aides upstairs.
Yosua was startled too. He made a threat.
He was carrying a gun and he said,
"If you speak, I'll kill you. Shut up!"
But the wife kept screaming.
She screamed and Yosua left the room.
Apparently Richard had arrived.
Yosua immediately opened fire,
and a shootout happened.
Then Sambo came back
to the official residence
and saw that Yosua was already dead.
That's what Sambo said.
JULY 11TH, 2022
I received a WhatsApp message
from a journalist.
"Ma'am, what is the Commission's take
on the case in Duren Tiga?"
Wow, I was taken aback.
It had already reached the media.
I was in Jakarta. I actually
didn't pay much attention to the news.
CHAIR
HUMAN RIGHTS NATIONAL COMMISSION
It wasn't until 10:00 p.m.
that I read the news.
There had been a murder.
...shootout between cops...
...residence of the head of Internal...
...Inspector General Ferdy Sambo...
Brigadier J suddenly came in and he...
assaulted the general's wife.
Second Patrolman Eliezer had to
shoot Brigadier Yosua in self-defense.
Richard saved Sambo's wife.
So Richard was the hero.
Sambo said that he would be awarded
a commendation by the Police Chief.
I said, "Wow,
this is actually serious, huh?
Something like this happened
at Sambo's house."
So I was still not fully aware
of what was going on.
But at one point, I received some advice
from a retired police general.
He said, "You have to be careful
while handling this case."
I asked, "Why?"
He said, "Come on,
you know who's involved."
He meant Sambo.
Sambo was the head of Internal Affairs.
Internal Affairs is essentially
the "police for the police."
At ease!
PRESISI!
Every misconduct by a police officer
is handled by Internal Affairs.
Personnel assigned to Internal Affairs
must possess integrity,
commitment,
and loyalty to the institution.
Not a single Internal Affairs member
commits misconduct
because we must set an example.
He can investigate anyone below
the rank of the National Police Chief,
so many people are afraid.
"I hold power.
I am the 'police of the police.'
Who is there to judge me?"
In the initial stages, we certainly
faced significant limitations in accessing
the actual facts of what occurred.
RIKY FERDIANTO
JOURNALIST - TEMPO
At the outset, journalists,
ourselves included,
often relied heavily
on the police's statement.
We accepted the account
of a shootout as fact.
Brigadier J suddenly came in and he
assaulted the general's wife.
But when the South Jakarta Police chief
at the time stated
that sexual assault had occurred,
our reaction was...
JOURNALIST - TEMPO
"Wait, this requires an investigation.
The police shouldn't be saying that.
- They shouldn't be drawing conclusions."
- It was premature.
Because no investigation
had taken place yet.
Say "still investigating."
If they said that,
"We are still investigating the motive,"
we might have believed it.
Something was wrong.
Something wasn't right about the case.
That's what made us decide,
"Okay, let's go full steam ahead."
When we hear that the alleged shootout
stemmed from sexual assault,
we naturally have to ask
about the evidence.
We sought details
about what had transpired,
but we faced difficulties
because things were shrouded in secrecy.
Even at that stage, we encountered
intimidation and irregularities.
Naturally, we also found it difficult
to gain access to Mr. Ferdy Sambo.
Head of Internal Affairs,
Inspector General Ferdy Sambo,
couldn't hold back his tears
when visited
by the Jakarta Metro police chief,
Inspector General Fadil Imran,
this past Wednesday, July 13th.
Fadil then embraced Sambo
and patted his junior on the back.
He also kissed Sambo on the forehead
and hugged him tightly once more.
That made us wonder,
"What is going on here?"
Perhaps they took us...
for mindless apes.
I stood with the grieving family.
They were devastated.
Death itself is already a huge burden.
On top of that, there was slander.
I offer my condolences
on the passing of Brigadier Yosua.
May his family be granted strength.
However, all that
has no bearing on what Yosua did
to my wife and family.
I ask for prayers that my wife
may quickly recover from her trauma.
Sister Rosti embraced me,
sobbing uncontrollably.
She told me,
"I want Yosua's name cleared
because my son was not the person
they portrayed him to be."
So I prepared a plan.
We would light 3,000 candles.
The intent was simply to offer prayers,
to encourage people
not to fear the police,
and rather to support efforts
to uncover the truth behind the case.
What we can do is seek the truth.
Who was the killer? Why was he killed?
How can we prevent it happening again?
As people who have been wronged,
ordinary citizens,
parents grieving the loss of a child,
we ask that true justice be served.
I was deeply moved
by the struggle of the community.
A single case originating
in a remote village corner
sparked an explosion of public outcry
that resonated across all of Indonesia.
THE LOSS OF A LIFE
DUE TO THE EXERCISE OF POWER
IS A WOUND INFLICTED UPON
THE ENTIRE NATION.
"AGREED"
First of all, I was surprised.
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
Ms. Poengky told me
that Sambo had been in tears.
DAILY CHIEF
OF NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
He'd said that he was facing a crisis,
something of that nature.
Ms. Poengky and I took initiative.
We asked to visit
the scene of the incident.
Given my background
as a national shooting coach,
analyzing the trajectory of the shots,
the firing distance, and so forth
would be easier for me to do
since that was my area of expertise.
The late Yosua died here.
We saw a mannequin there
depicting someone aiming a weapon.
A line was drawn to the point
where the gunshot wound was located.
The trajectory of the shot
was aligned with the person who fired it.
He was right here, Yosua.
And then it happened, "Bang!"
Just "bang."
That is the head of the South Jakarta
Criminal Investigation Unit at the time.
The District Police Chief
seemed a bit nervous, though.
So the story was indeed a shootout
between Richard and Yosua,
just as Sambo had described it.
At first glance,
it seemed plausible to us.
And that is what we told the media
when they asked.
I went to the scene myself,
listened firsthand and personally examined
the available evidence,
including the photographs.
So this case did originate
with an incident of sexual assault
committed by Brigadier J.
So as far as you can tell,
there are no irregularities?
None at all.
But I don't really understand shootouts,
you know? So I asked,
"Is this for real or not?"
I had a very strong feeling
that this was a murder victim.
LEGAL COUNSEL OF YOSUA'S FAMILY
I am a lawyer
who has fought for justice all my life.
My wife and children
have also been threatened before.
Seeing that I couldn't be intimidated,
they targeted my family instead.
I asked Mr. Kamaruddin,
"Are we seriously going to get involved
and represent Yosua?"
He said, "You're going to be
involved too, you know."
I thought, "Whoa, hold on a minute."
I had to discuss it with my wife first
because my kid was still very young,
only three years old at the time.
It wouldn't be funny if I took the case
and my kid ended up without a father.
After careful consideration and prayer,
I decided to take the case.
I told my wife,
"If anything happens,
the first thing you must do
is leave the country."
At that time,
the house was under police guard.
They wouldn't allow the casket
to be opened.
Yosua's aunts waited
for a moment
when the guards weren't watching.
They quickly opened the casket
and discovered numerous bruises
and gunshot wounds fired from behind.
We got several photos of the victim
that aroused our suspicions.
The gunshot wounds on Yosua's body
presented many irregularities.
Those were the photos given to us.
That is what ultimately led us to suspect
that Yosua hadn't been involved
in a shootout...
but had been executed.
Then I spoke with Samuel Hutabarat,
"What do we do, sir?
Our opponents are generals."
So I told him,
"Just sign the power of attorney.
I will represent you."
Based on our calculations and the facts,
we are firmly convinced
that this was a premeditated murder.
The response from the police was mixed.
Some were pleased, others were hostile.
Some of them did not hesitate
to share the information they possessed.
POLICE STATION
GETTING BUSY, BROTHER
RIGHT, WE'LL SOON CRACK THE MYSTERY
BEHIND THIS TORTURE AND MURDER
RIGHT, BROTHER...
DO YOUR BEST, GOD BLESS
The information I received
was extremely detailed,
identifying who the perpetrators were
and who their subordinates were.
I had all those details.
Several police officers called me, saying,
"Ma'am, it's impossible
that it was a shootout."
Richard was on the upper staircase,
implying he was framed
by walls on his left and right,
whereas Yosua was in an open area.
Yosua was his senior
and a far better shot.
That naturally makes us suspicious.
Was the story actually true?
Well, it's hard to say. I wanted
to believe it, but I kept having doubts.
Something just didn't sit right.
We finally decided
it would be best for us to go to Jambi,
Yosua's hometown.
This is...
Nofriansyah Yosua's final exam results.
TEACHER
SUNGAI BAHAR PUBLIC HIGH 4
His highest score was in English,
he achieved a 9.00 on his school exam.
His grade in Religious Studies
was also excellent.
Yosua was a source of pride
for his parents
and a role model for his younger siblings.
But the way his life ended
was truly tragic.
As for the news reports
claiming Yosua engaged in misconduct...
In my opinion, he's not
that kind of person because...
It's just not possible.
Yeah. You could say he's not like that
because, well, he's a good person.
Among all the siblings, older and younger,
he had the best character.
When speaking to his mother, he would say,
"Mom, stay strong, keep praying."
He refused to discuss unpleasant matters,
he only shared good things.
He never wanted to cause us any trouble.
REGIONAL POLICE FORCE
JAMBI
This was our visit to the Jambi
Regional Police Mobile Brigade Unit.
We met with Yosua's superiors
and colleagues.
We wanted to ask how Yosua
came to be recruited by Sambo.
We were informed that Sambo himself
had requested him.
He wanted someone who was good-looking,
computer-literate, and tall.
Someone to serve as both
a bodyguard and a driver.
There was no need
for any elaborate selection process.
Secondly,
there was a point raised,
that since Yosua was a sniper, it seemed
implausible for him to lose in a shootout.
That's what his father had said.
You see, on major holidays
like Eid al-Fitr, he wouldn't come home.
He would be on duty, standing guard
at high-risk locations as a sniper.
When it came to marksmanship,
I had no doubts about him.
After all, he was originally
part of the Mobile Brigade.
Have you ever heard
that Yosua was a sniper?
INTERVIEW WITH YOSUA'S FORMER COLLEAGUE
He was a good shot. He had good marks.
-He didn't hold the qualification badge?
- Not yet.
Right, so he didn't hold
the sniper qualification.
- He would have needed further training.
- Further training.
So he wasn't actually a sniper.
So it would make sense if, for instance,
Yosua lost out during a shootout.
When I arrived at the victim's home,
I sensed
a great deal of suspicion from the family.
There was a sense of anger.
They refused to accept the situation
and wanted the case reopened,
which is how it became
a public, national issue.
At the time, I noticed
certain irregularities and anomalies.
We then reported this
to the National Police Chief.
We said, "Sir, this investigation
is a ticking time bomb.
What do you think, Chief?
Should we open this case up
for an objective review or not?"
There was considerable turmoil
within National Police HQ at the time,
with opinions sharply divided.
And he declared, "I have decided
that we will open this case."
We would like to ensure
the matter is handled properly.
To that end, I have formed...
a special team.
National Police HQ asked us
to participate in resolving the issue
due to the public distrust
that the police faced.
I was included when the formation
of the special team was announced.
The team re-examined all testimonies
and re-evaluated the findings
from the crime scene investigation.
We started by gathering the facts.
From the start, I was one of those who
constantly made a fuss about the cameras.
I had said I was suspicious
that two CCTV cameras were missing.
One inside the house and another nearby.
Logically speaking,
given Ferdy Sambo's high-risk position,
which naturally attracted many enemies,
cameras would have been
an absolutely essential tool.
Why, then, were the cameras broken
at the time of the incident?
they said they had been
struck by lightning.
I HOPE THE TEAM THAT DAMAGED THE CAMERAS
REALLY GETS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
And that became satire, a joke everywhere.
SO MANY PLACES YET THE LIGHTNING
CHOSE TO STRIKE SAMBO'S HOUSE
JUDGE, PUNISH HEAVILY
THE LIARS WHO BLAME THE LIGHTNING
The public is upset
that there might be dishonesty.
Once again the public asks,
"Why? Why?" and "Why?"
Sambo, Sambo, Sambo.
Now we've decided to discuss Sambo again.
Yes, there are still many
unresolved issues surrounding this case.
Sambo claimed he knew nothing and was not
at the scene when Yosua was shot.
Sambo said, "I was actually on my way
to a former high-ranking police official's
house to play badminton."
NEIGHBORHOOD HEAD SAID
PLAINCLOTHES REPLACED THE CAMERA DECODERS
KAMARUDDIN SIMANJUNTAK:
THE CRIME SCENE WAS TAMPERED WITH
DESTROYING EVIDENCE IS A CRIME
I'm sure he was there
when Yosua was killed.
POLICE
Check the footage from all the neighbors.
It's bound to be there.
The damaged camera,
the one right at the scene.
But the cameras along this route,
around the crime scene,
these have already been investigated.
That footage is truly the key.
It shows a car containing Mrs. Putri,
Richard, and Yosua.
Here we can see Yosua.
He's wearing a white t-shirt
and blue jeans.
Mrs. Putri is wearing a brownish shirt.
Shortly after, Sambo's car arrived,
accompanied by a police escort motorcycle.
He then steps out of the car.
We can see one of his aides
running up to him.
According to their explanation, this was
because Sambo's pistol had fallen.
Moments later, we can see
Sambo walking quite hurriedly,
accompanied by one of his aides.
He enters the house.
When Sambo arrived, Yosua was still alive.
Yosua even opened the gate for him.
That was a surprise. We were stunned.
Here, the shooting
had already taken place.
In reality, there was no prolonged
interaction between Sambo and Yosua.
It lasted less than two minutes.
After that, we can see
Mrs. Putri leave in a hurry,
wearing different clothes.
The external camera footage
effectively refutes Sambo's claim
that he arrived only after the murder
had already taken place.
Furthermore, I received
unofficial information
indicating that Sambo was,
in fact, the perpetrator.
I asked, "How do you know
Sambo is the one who did it?"
"We got the info from an insider,"
that's what they said,
someone involved
in orchestrating the cover-up.
The first to arrive at the crime scene
weren't the South Jakarta police.
They were from Internal Affairs.
Sambo's people.
They took care of everything.
Just hours after Yosua's body
was taken to the police hospital,
the scene was immediately cleaned.
That only made us more suspicious.
They should have set up a police line.
- But no.
- They didn't.
They even mopped up the blood.
The initial investigators
had close ties to Sambo.
They used to be his subordinates.
They were experienced in handling cases.
If they wanted to cover their tracks,
they knew that camera footage
was a key element to address.
They wanted the scene to align
with Sambo's alibi
that claimed he wasn't at Duren Tiga
when the shooting with Yosua took place.
To me, that was the turning point.
If the police officers involved had truly
acted as objective investigators,
they would have believed us.
Behind the scenes, they actually told us,
"We believe you."
But the reality was that
they had to...
work based on evidence.
So we demanded a second autopsy for Yosua.
And we insisted the autopsy be conducted
by the joint armed forces, not the police.
The results of this autopsy would provide
the evidence that speaks for itself.
FIND OUT WHERE THE FORENSIC
AND AUTOPSY PERMITS CAME FROM.
The results of the first autopsy...
I WILL FIND OUT, BROTHER...
...have been kept secret to this day.
We still don't have them.
At first, I didn't know
why we had to perform a second autopsy.
Was there a mistake or an oversight?
FORENSIC PATHOLOGISPUBLIC CEMETERY
SUKA MAKMUR VILLAGE
I was told we had to perform a re-autopsy.
So I said if it was indeed necessary,
we had to do it immediately.
A second autopsy
would certainly be far more complex
than the first.
The body would no longer be fresh,
unlike during the first examination.
Frankly, it was confusing.
We were unsure on how to resolve the case.
If the results were the same,
we could face criticism.
If they were different,
it would raise further questions.
SUNGAI BAHAR REGIONAL HOSPITAL
It was a highly emotional experience,
seeing how much the family
was pinning their hopes on us
and awaiting the results.
We were anxious about the possibility
of overlooking something,
or that our efforts might ultimately
yield no results at all.
This image of the skin shows an injury.
The discontinuity in the epidermis
indicates a wound.
The wound is also surrounded
by inflammatory cells.
These inflammatory cells
could not have migrated to the site
after the person had already died.
So the presence of these
inflammatory cells around the wound
indicates that the injury occurred
while the person was still alive.
GUNSHOT WOUND
The wound at the back of the head
was the final injury that occurred.
The wound at the back of the head
was the fatal one.
FATAL GUNSHOT WOUND
When a bullet exits
the muzzle of a firearm,
it is designed to travel
with a spinning motion.
Upon striking a human body,
even soft tissue,
the bullet can theoretically deflect
by three to five degrees.
The bullet penetrated the skull.
Although the skull is actually quite hard,
the bullet remained on its trajectory.
The nature of the wound suggests
it was inflicted at very close range.
To me, it is a truly
terrifying thought.
How could someone do such a thing?
Fire a shot
into the back of the head like that.
Who could have done it?
The conclusion is that he was shot,
it wasn't a shootout.
The truth of what actually happened
began to come to light.
An investigator is inevitably
haunted by suspicion.
They can't simply accept
anything they are told at face value.
It was the same
when I interrogated Richard Eliezer.
PROTECTION OF 2ND PATROLMAN ELIEZER
There were many inconsistencies
in his account of the events.
The first issue was psychological.
He described how, after the shootout,
Yosua had collapsed.
He said he walked down two or three steps
and then shot Yosua in the head.
I asked, "Why did you shoot someone
who had already collapsed?"
He said it was to make sure there would be
no further resistance from Yos.
As someone with decades
of investigative experience,
I thought, "Something's not right here."
Have you ever shot anyone before?
Just this once.
But because we... how do I say this?
Yosua and I were close friends.
I had shot him,
so I was somewhat in shock.
That was a voice recording
of the first time I met
Second Patrolman Richard Eliezer.
I said to him,
"Your first shot was self-defense.
Your second shot
might also be considered self-defense.
Possibly.
But what about
your third, fourth, and fifth shot?
If someone had already been hit twice,
why shoot them three more times?"
Richard was going to face
severe legal consequences
because the victim was already
incapacitated when they were shot.
I was deeply concerned Richard Eliezer
was being made into a scapegoat.
The young man was being sacrificed.
I met with the commissioner
of Human Rights, Ahmad Taufan Damanik.
He said to me,
"You know, Richard seems like a good guy.
If you could reach out to him,
he might just be willing
to turn on his boss.
I hear he's been promised protection."
RICHARD ELIEZER FACES ETHICS HEARING
Basically it was, "Don't worry, Chard,
you'll never face trial.
The case will be dropped.
You killed him in self-defense,
so you and the lady
are the real victims here."
A friend of his
from the Mobile Brigade said,
"I... We're worried that Richard
will end up being the scapegoat.
We know what Sambo is like, Ma'am."
We reached a conclusion.
The only person who could link
the murder of Yosua was Richard Eliezer.
DEOLIPA YUMARA
LEGAL COUNSEL OF RICHARD ELIEZER
Working as a lawyer
is actually a hobby of mine.
Another hobby of mine is music.
I prefer music or singing compared to law.
I didn't follow the case very closely.
Back then, I was in Bali.
I was making a video clip.
Cut!
So I was asked by a senior police official
to approach Eliezer,
leveraging my expertise
as both a lawyer and a psychology expert.
However, I immediately received a call
from an external party whom I cannot name.
This person jokingly said
that my moves were already known to them,
to said external party.
They laughed and suggested there was
a listening device hidden in my hair.
I asked, "So what's the objective?"
They said,
"Please focus on fully exposing this case
so that nothing is covered up."
This person was a high-ranking official.
I understood the mission.
It was clear that this case
was extremely urgent and significant.
At the Criminal Investigation Agency,
security was indeed tight.
The people standing guard
were fully armed Mobile Brigade troops.
They asked me, "Where are you going?"
It was tense.
The first time I saw Eliezer,
it was obvious he was afraid,
he was tense.
It looked like depression
had taken a hold of him.
To get Eliezer to confess,
we first had to understand his psyche.
How is his state of mind?
What is his inner turmoil?
What are his fears? What are his doubts?
Then I asked him to pray with me.
Afterwards, he began to calm down.
Eliezer said,
"I would like to convey an apology."
"To whom?" "To Yosua and his family."
Eliezer then wrote down his confession.
As I read through all those
handwritten notes,
I thought, "Wow..."
I was stunned.
"How could General Sambo do that?"
Eliezer had been promised a sum
of one billion, if I recall correctly,
by Sambo and his wife.
As it turns out, the truth is that
Yosua did not fire a shot,
and Eliezer was ordered
by General Sambo to shoot.
The late Yosua was kneeling before Sambo.
In that position,
Sambo issued an order to Richard,
"Hey, shoot now! Shoot!"
Eliezer fired four shots
and Sambo did the rest.
As it turned out,
the key figure was Sambo himself.
When I revealed Eliezer's story
to the public,
I was technically breaching
professional legal ethics
as lawyers are prohibited
from disclosing substantive details
related to an ongoing investigation.
But that rule had to be broken.
For whose sake? For Eliezer's safety,
and to ensure the accuracy of the account.
By making that disclosure,
it paved the way
for Eliezer to receive protection
as he was set to become
a justice collaborator.
At this stage of my life,
it never crossed my mind
that while serving
a two-star general
who I deeply trusted and respected,
I was actually being used.
I was lied to and treated as expendable.
I never imagined I would experience
such a painful ordeal
like this in my life.
The case then took a turn.
Richard subsequently admitted
that it was not a shootout,
but an execution.
The shootout between Richard Eliezer
and Brigadier Yosua was,
in reality, a staged scenario.
And we know who the director was.
We know the name of the screenwriter.
I am absolutely convinced
that Richard was coerced by Sambo.
An enlisted officer simply wouldn't defy
a commissioned officer.
He could have been killed for it.
At first, it was indeed very complicated,
because there was
a highly systematic effort
by a group of people
within the police force to cover it up.
There were fabricated lies
and an orchestrated
public deception,
orchestrated by people
acting in support of Sambo.
Now surely they ought to see
the reality of the situation.
So this case did originate
with an incident of sexual assault
committed by Brigadier J.
So as far as you can tell,
there are no irregularities?
None at all.
Frankly, the fabricated scenario
was quite robust
because it was backed
by rigged testimonies
and a staged crime scene.
So, everything aligned.
A member of the National Police Commission
acted like a spokesperson
for the South Jakarta Police's account...
that turned out to be inaccurate.
DEPUTY CHAIR OF COMMISSION III
OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- This is mind-boggling.
- Yes.
Mr. Benny was misled
and subsequently bullied
by the media and the public.
HE'S A COP. WHY WOULD HE SUPERVISE
THE COP THAT KILL THEIR OWN?
HE SHOULD BE FIRED!
FIRE HIM. EMBARRASSING FOR THE COMMISSION
TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE BENNY AJINAMOTO.
Sambo's narrative was strong
from the beginning.
Even entertaining suspicions about him
raised questions because he was
Internal Affairs, "police of the police."
Surely he wouldn't lie, right?
Obstruction of justice
has recently been widely discussed
in connection with the murder of
Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat.
It ranges from fabricating the case
and destroying evidence
to obstructing the investigation process.
The role Mr. Sambo held
was incredibly powerful.
He simply had to say,
"Have him sent for training,
have her transferred,"
and it would easily be done.
Lord Acton said, "Power tends to corrupt.
Absolute power
tends to corrupt absolutely."
He's like a very cunning godfather.
I met directly
with the National Police Chief.
We discussed that
in order to solve the case,
the hierarchical psychological barrier
had to be removed.
The structure allegedly involved
had to be dismantled first
so that the superior-subordinate dynamic
would no longer be a factor.
Yesterday, we questioned 25 personnel,
and that number has now risen to 31.
Five police officers are implicated in
the premeditated murder of Brigadier Yosua
because they are suspected of helping
Inspector Ferdy Sambo obstruct justice.
The five police officers range in rank
from general to police commissioner.
How did it come to this?
Frankly, it worries me
that our police force is like this.
It is truly dangerous.
How do you feel?
Disappointed, frustrated, angry.
After thirty years of service,
I am devastated
and at the very lowest point of my career.
Ferdy Sambo not only ruined careers,
but also lives.
There were one-star officers,
senior commissioners,
junior officers who were rising stars...
They all followed his instructions
even though they knew it was a crime.
This reflects our culture.
In Indonesia, we still operate
under a paternalistic system.
As a subordinate receiving orders
from a superior,
it depends on me whether or not
I have the courage to push back.
I personally don't care
whether a superior likes me or not.
If something is wrong,
I will say it's wrong.
This is the mindset
that truly needs to be instilled
in the next generation of police officers.
Furthermore, the National Police Chief
has stated,
"I will not protect Sambo."
And the special team has decided
to name Ferdy Sambo as a suspect.
AMJI ATTAK BASE
Awaiting trial, Sambo will be detained
at the Mobile Brigade headquarters.
The interrogation of Sambo
didn't last long.
He likely realized
that we had uncovered different facts,
including, of course,
the confession from Richard Eliezer.
He said, "That's enough, sir.
No need to question me any further.
I admit wrongdoing."
SAMBO APOLOGIZES TO THE PARENTS
"How could you do that?" I asked.
"You sacrificed
a young man from a poor family."
He apologized then.
"I am ready to accept my punishment,
whatever it is," he said, weeping again.
I offer my apologies to those
affected by my actions,
including Yosua's parents.
There was relief
especially after Ferdy Sambo
and Putri Candrawathi
were named as suspects.
I ask for your prayers
that I may have the strength
to face all this.
I am entrusting the care of my children
both at home
and at their respective schools.
To my beloved children,
study hard,
keep pursuing your dreams,
and always do your very best.
At the time, I couldn't wrap my head
around it. "Why did Sambo do this?"
Why was Sambo so hell-bent
on killing Yosua?
There had to be something bigger,
a larger scheme at play.
The initial story was that
the sexual assault took place
at the official residence in Duren Tiga.
However, this version was later amended.
The sexual assault did not occur
at the residence in Duren Tiga...
but rather took place
in Magelang the day before.
APPROXIMATELY 500 KILOMETERS
Mrs. Putri Candrawathi is describing
what happened.
We don't know what happened in this room.
There was Brigadier Yosua
and Mrs. Putri Candrawathi.
What happened in PC's room
between Yosua and PC remains a mystery.
However, if one were to claim
that sexual violence occurred,
there are...
things that do not fit the scenario.
The boss was Mrs. Putri.
Yosua was her subordinate.
How could a subordinate dare to commit
sexual violence against his boss?
Furthermore,
typically, a victim of sexual violence
would not want to meet,
look at the face of,
or live with the perpetrator.
Yet strangely, the victim, who still
held authority over the household,
allowed the perpetrator
to continue living there.
Then the following day, July 8th,
they made the long overland journey
back to Jakarta together.
APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS BY CAR
This is difficult to accept.
Camera footage begins
in Magelang, Central Java.
At 02:03 p.m.,
Brigadier Yosua is seen
wearing a white shirt
as he steps out of a black SUV.
Yosua appeared to be in perfect health
as he entered a restroom
with a colleague before setting off again.
In the camera footage,
Brigadier Yosua was last seen
leaving the private residence
of Police Inspector General Ferdy Sambo
at around 05:00 p.m.
In this case,
what turned this into a big drama
was of course Putri Candrawathi.
Because of the superior-subordinate
relationship...
PROFESSOR OF CRIMINOLOGY
...between Yosua and the wife,
it's virtually impossible.
He would be aware of the risks.
So if something did occur,
the relationship between Yosua
and Sambo's wife would have shifted.
That needs to be investigated.
At the time, photos emerged
showing the closeness
between Yosua and Mrs. Putri.
I spoke with a colleague of his
from the same cohort.
I asked, "In your opinion,
was it normal or not for Yosua
to enter Mrs. Putri's bedroom?
Wouldn't it have been suspicious?"
"No, Ma'am."
I was surprised. "Really? Why not?"
"If Yosua was close to the lady,
then it was fine for him to come inside."
I received information
about a crucial piece of evidence...
CHAIR OF INDONESIA POLICE WATCH
...for tracing...
the communication between the victim,
Brigadier Yosua, and Mrs. PC.
Yet this evidence was never seized
or subjected to digital forensic analysis.
After all, if it were exposed,
what would it reveal?
Meanwhile, images were circulating
in the public sphere.
I even received some from an informant,
someone I believe to be a police officer,
regarding their close relationship.
On Yosua's birthday,
Mrs. PC gave him a cake
and a message
that demonstrated their closeness.
I suspect there was a relationship
between the wife and Yosua,
causing Sambo to feel enraged
because he viewed his subordinate
as having betrayed him.
Consumed by that anger, he lost control
and committed the murder.
Based on the evidence we obtained,
that is the situation,
yet Sambo refuses to admit it.
He loves his wife deeply,
as she was his first love.
Or so the story goes.
Consequently, he likely
wouldn't want to cast blame on her.
That is my assessment.
To my husband, Ferdy Sambo...
PUTRI'S VOICE
...please forgive me.
As your life partner,
I have been far from perfect.
No words can describe...
just how proud and happy I am...
to have a life partner
with such a big heart.
OCTOBER 17TH, 2022
SOUTH JAKARTA DISTRICT COURCLASS 1A SPECIAL
And today
the South Jakarta District Court will hold
the first hearing
in the murder case of Brigadier Yosua.
Yes, under tight security,
we see Ferdy Sambo arrive
at around 09:00 a.m.
Western Indonesian Time.
PLEASE REMAIN CALM
DURING TRIAL
The Sambo case became a conversation topic
for everyone, including our family.
And what I gathered was a consensus that...
JOURNALIST, PARBOABOA
...PC was a bitch,
a seductress,
a sex maniac.
Old hag! Old hag!
Death penalty!
Drama queen!
YOU KEEP ACCUSING A DEAD PERSON...
There are always two sides to every story.
Journalists are expected to be objective,
impartial, and to cover both sides.
Driven by our interest
in delving deeper into Mrs. PC,
a colleague suggested, "Why don't we
arrange another meeting with Mrs. PC?
Perhaps she would be willing to meet
and explain
what actually happened in Magelang."
People had painted
such a negative picture of Putri,
portraying her as a seductress
who was having an affair with another man,
someone who loved wearing designer bags
and flaunting a sexy image.
Yet what we actually saw
was worlds away from that, right?
She was a mother with no makeup,
her hair tied back, dressed simply.
Had we not had the chance
to meet Mrs. PC in person,
we would have shared the same opinion
as the general public.
In my view...
people were miles off the mark.
Completely different from the reality
we witnessed at the time.
I still remember her mostly like this,
clutching her hands this way.
We were discussing the events
that actually took place in Magelang.
She kept her head down
and appeared to be weeping
as she recounted the story.
At the time, Mrs. PC was unwell.
She had apparently dozed off
for a short while
and was startled to find Yosua
already inside her room.
- I asked her.
- Yes.
- That was a question that had to be...
- Answered.
"Did penetration occur?" She nodded.
Yes. So... That implies the incident,
the rape, actually happened.
As a woman, I have to believe
the victim's version of events.
Because if I don't,
who else is going to listen to the story?
So we interviewed with various parties,
including psychiatrists, psychologists,
the National Commission for Women.
And the story Mrs. PC told us
was consistent with what she had revealed
- to the Women's Commission.
- The Commission.
In the capacity of...
I asked a friend from the Commission.
The chairperson, Ms. Andy.
At the time, Andy said,
"When I met Mrs. Putri, I suddenly felt
a sense of deadness, you know?"
"Yeah, it really seemed
like she was suffering terribly."
And it's like a knife slicing
into the raw ache of a wound
that has never healed.
I was sexually assaulted
and abused by someone
we had deeply trusted,
someone we considered family.
This bitter ordeal unfolded on the day
of our 22nd wedding anniversary.
In many cases in Indonesia,
when a rape occurs,
the woman is the one blamed
for various reasons.
"Why was she wearing a miniskirt?"
Why was she sexy?
"Why was she dressed provocatively?"
While the man is not held accountable.
I view this as likely stemming
from patriarchal culture.
If a woman makes a mistake,
it gets blown out of proportion,
whereas the man
seems to get off scot-free.
As journalists, we were deeply troubled
seeing this reality,
and our instincts told us
we had to dig deeper.
We knew we would be up against
mainstream opinion,
views that would be difficult to sway.
We factored that risk into our decision,
given our reputation
as independent journalists.
We'll inevitably be labeled like,
"They're defending that group over there.
They're likely getting paid
or acting on orders," and so on.
But we chose to follow our conscience.
We kept digging to understand
the true nature of PC's character.
Through various sources, we learned
that she was a woman...
who chose to yield.
Loyal.
Loyal to her husband.
She wouldn't act on her own impulses,
but would defer to her husband's wishes.
I remember a professor from the University
of Indonesia's Faculty of Law said this.
They said PC was a dentist
from a very well-off family.
She's certainly not stupid.
As an educated person, surely
she would have reported rape immediately?
She could have simply called a doctor
for a forensic examination.
But perhaps the professor wasn't aware of
the background details
Rin mentioned earlier.
She was trying to keep the incident quiet
to prevent it from spreading,
for the sake of her husband's career.
Being a police officer's wife
has taught me to constantly balance
multiple roles and responsibilities,
both toward my family
and the Bhayangkari organization.
I learned how to stand
by my husband's side.
I gained valuable guidance and experience
from senior members of Bhayangkari.
There are times when I feel
I can no longer go on living this life.
Yet I am grateful
that the memory of my husband's embrace,
smile, and even his tears
sustained me when the world
seemed to hold not a shred of hope
for justice.
Frankly, I felt very sorry for Mrs. PC.
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
Her trauma stems
not merely from the rape itself,
but from the impact on her husband,
specifically his rage.
His wife had been raped
by someone he loved,
a cherished subordinate.
He couldn't believe it.
But when the question arose,
"Did it really happen?"
he lost composure.
He felt it was all meaningless.
He stripped off his rank insignia.
He lost sight of everything
and flew into a rage.
That is the kind of aggression
that unfolded. He lost control.
I looked at my husband.
His eyes were vacant,
his body was trembling,
and his breathing had become labored.
My anger flared up
as I imagined
what had been done to my wife.
Boiling with rage,
I demanded to know why Yosua
had acted so insolently toward her.
Yet Yosua replied brazenly,
"Insolent in what way, Commander?"
Acting as if nothing at all had happened.
My patience and reason vanished.
I don't know what went through
my mind at that moment.
The words simply burst from my lips,
"Get him, Chard. Get him."
Regardless of the motive,
as a general and a high-ranking official,
he should not have committed murder.
He ought to have upheld the law
by bringing
the person he suspected
of sexual misconduct to justice in court.
Thus, we classify this
as extrajudicial killing.
This case became truly insane,
or shall we say addictive.
Through mass media,
Sambo's image was completely destroyed.
BEHEADING IS THE ONLY JUST PUNISHMENUNFAIR! SAMBO SHOULD BE SENTENCED TO DEATH
FS DESERVES THE DEATH PENALTY
This was trial by mass media.
Trial by social media, by netizens.
My name, my name is Sambo!
My rank, my rank is general
I initially intended to title
this defense statement "A Futile Defense."
This is because the insults,
verbal abuse, mockery,
and immense pressure from all parties
against my family and I
throughout the investigation
and trial of this case
frequently drove me
to despair and frustration.
Various accusations and even verdicts
were leveled against me
before the panel of judges
had issued its ruling.
It appears that legal principles
have been disregarded in this case
in which I stand as the defendant.
Interview with Usman Hamid,
shot one take three.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INDONESIA
I suppose it's not easy
for anyone to speak up
regarding the Sambo case.
Those who possess confidential information
prefer to remain silent
because the system is already corrupt.
Of course people like me
face significant risk in saying this,
but I simply want Indonesia
to have a bright future for its children.
Every night, it's impossible for me
to resolve my anxiety,
so I keep being a detective,
trying to uncover what actually happened.
Throughout the trials,
the case file was reduced
right from the start
to merely the issues of murder
and infidelity.
Therefore we conclude that no assault
occurred on July 7th, 2022 in Magelang,
but rather there was an affair
between the witness Putri Candrawathi
and the victim
Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat.
Ultimately,
there was an attempt to reduce the matter
to a crime solely between Sambo and Yosua.
While the murder of Yosua
was a major issue,
there was an even greater one,
namely the rot
within the National Police force.
There was something that would have been
exposed had Yosua been allowed to live.
An aide-de-camp is someone
other than the ones who directly serve us.
They are the ones who know our secrets.
Let's say I was an official
with secrets
that if they were to be revealed,
my career would be finished.
Naturally I wouldn't want that to happen.
I could resort to various measures.
I could threaten the person or even
eliminate them, that's certainly possible.
That's how the logic would go.
Did Yosua know high-level secrets?
That's still a mystery.
The public awaits Tempo's investigation,
how Tempo uncovers the story.
And this is our moral responsibility
as journalists.
- But I'm always cautious...
- Yes.
...because after all, this is a conflict.
They are armed.
Ensure the team on the field remains
cautious and vigilant at all times.
MANY SENIOR OFFICIALS REFUSED TO SPEAK,
YET THEY SHARED SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
AMONG THEM WERE FINANCIAL RECORDS
NAMING SAMBO.
If I look closely
at that final attachment,
it's an order
for the Red and White Task Force.
This dates back to 2022.
FS was already the head of that.
Regarding verification,
tell our colleagues
that I think we have solid material,
but we need to be cautious
because this involves individuals
with immense authority.
Sambo cannot be viewed
merely as an ordinary police officer.
His most strategic role at the time
was as the head
of the Red and White Task Force.
He commanded a special force of over
200 personnel covering the entire country.
Individuals considered to be
the best of the best.
When we met with an intelligence contact,
he warned us, "Be careful with Sambo.
Don't underestimate him."
This source described
the various activities
carried out by members of the task force.
They had sophisticated
wiretapping equipment...
In fact, when I met
this intelligence contact,
he asked me to turn off my phone.
He explained that if the phone was on,
it could still record conversations.
- That concern was not unfounded.
- Right.
Indeed, later on we learned
Linda was also being targeted.
Intelligence agents visited my home.
We tried to investigate
this intimidation further.
- Who actually orchestrated...
- Exactly.
...and ordered them to terrorize us?
Later we obtained information
indicating that the operation
was orchestrated by three
high-ranking officers, one-star generals,
who were also members
of the task force at the time.
- The Red and White Task Force?
- Yes, correct.
When we reached court, I laid
everything out before the panel of judges
and submitted evidence proving that
Ferdy Sambo was the head
of the Red and White Task Force.
I have the documents right here,
Your Honor.
I see that virtually
the entire police leadership is involved,
ranging from the ranks of advisors,
patrons, to the rest,
and the head of the task force is,
well, Ferdy Sambo.
I have received information
that highly sophisticated
police equipment is being used
to monitor all these movements,
including my own.
Allegations of a mob-like gang
within the police
circulating across social media platforms
have suddenly come under the spotlight.
Is there, in fact, such a mob-like group
within the force
linked to the murder of Brigadier Yosua?
They are granted vast authority,
yet their accountability,
regarding budget utilization
and operational conduct,
is never disclosed to the public.
They hold jurisdiction
over five key areas.
Narcotics, corruption, money laundering,
human trafficking, and terrorism.
These are the five areas
I consider very sexy, so to speak,
due to the flow of money involved.
They can be commandeered.
The former head
of the National Police's Internal Affairs,
Ferdy Sambo, is under increasing scrutiny.
His enormous wealth
has also come under scrutiny.
Ferdy Sambo is also said
to own three luxury homes.
He is also said to collect
several premium cars.
The wealth of this two-star general
is considered unreasonable
compared to his salary.
INSPECTOR GENERAL FERDY SAMBO'S PROPERTIES
The one at Saguling is amazing,
it has an elevator.
He also has plenty of cars.
It's incredible. I wonder where the money
for things like that came from?
I've always believed
that if you want to trace something,
you follow the money.
The documents here are unique.
This one here is a summary of funds.
We probably need to verify this.
There are multiple currencies.
Not just rupiah, but also US dollar,
Singapore dollar, and Australian dollar.
I did some Googling.
It turns out the company is linked
to gambling operations.
It has been blocked repeatedly,
yet it somehow remains active.
At that point, information surfaced
alleging that Sambo
was the person behind Consortium 303.
This consortium's name is derived from
Article 303 of the Criminal Code,
which deals with gambling offenses.
When the Criminal Investigation Agency
looked into the Yosua shooting case,
rumors began to circulate...
- Everywhere.
- ...alleging
that a number
of high-ranking police officials
were acting as backers
for online gambling operations.
And Sambo was suspected
of being the one profiting
from the business.
So another piece of information
we received at the time
that was too significant to ignore
suggested that Yosua
had angered Sambo and his wife
because he wanted to stop
carrying out tasks
that went against his conscience,
specifically, visiting business premises
to collect levies and payments.
He had actually wondered,
"What kind of place is this?"
as the activity conflicted with the law
as well as his own instincts
and conscience.
Eventually he told Sambo's wife
that he wanted to quit.
"And I intend to report this matter
to my superiors."
Before he died, Yosua seemed to
have a premonition
and told his mother a week beforehand.
Every day, he would ask her,
"Mom, have you read your Bible?
Just place your hand on it."
Whenever she placed her hand on it,
the page would open to the Book of Joshua.
It was as if he had a premonition
and was sending a message,
given that in the biblical narrative,
Joshua dies.
Then Sister Rosti told me,
"You know, Yosua wasn't just a good son.
He actually wanted to serve God.
He wanted to become a pastor."
Yet the story regarding Yosua's plan
to expose the illegal practices
behind his murder
was never fully explored.
Are there any names you might recognize?
Public officials or the like?
We would need to verify this.
It's the same source, right?
Generally speaking,
this data is intriguing.
If we weren't journalists,
just people looking at this document,
the name "Ferdy" would immediately
make us think of FS.
However, in the world of journalism,
we need to prove
that the "Ferdy" mentioned here
is indeed FS.
That document was certainly tempting
to investigate further.
Unfortunately,
even after meeting various people
and double-checking and triple-checking...
We had to adhere
to the journalistic code of ethics,
which requires establishing a link between
this online gambling operation and Sambo.
Ultimately,
we couldn't find that connection.
All we got were stories...
- Just stories.
- But to verify them...
The stories corroborated one another.
- But t's not from a primary source.
- As journalists, we need solid evidence
even though we aren't investigators.
The online gambling operation exists.
We know there are people behind it.
Beyond Sambo and the emergence
of this online gambling thing,
we began to sense
the presence of an even greater,
more powerful force.
The Sambo case should have been
a gateway to uncovering
destruction of justice, organized crime,
and abuse of power.
There were numerous conflicts of interest
that could have opened the door
to something bigger.
But after that,
there was never any follow up.
Allegations that this task force
was involved in drugs
or online gambling
are completely unfounded.
We actually combatted those things.
- That is for us to judge.
- Thank you.
But I must state this in court.
It is understandable
that people might perceive
the Red and White Task Force
were raising funds
for political purposes or the like.
However, we must stick to the facts.
And as someone directly involved,
I know exactly what the task force did.
I believe this needs to be clarified
for the public,
addressing the rumors that Sambo
was receiving financial backing
from those sources.
If such funding did exist,
I was unaware of it.
In my view, for certain reasons,
they chose not to be transparent.
The National Police Chief,
General Listyo Sigit,
disbanded the special task force
after its head, Ferdy Sambo, became
implicated in a premeditated murder case.
FEBRUARY 13TH, 2023
READING OF THE VERDICJUDGE
DON'T LET YOUR SHIELD BE BLUNTED
GOD KNOWS
PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO SHAME
Mr. Sambo!
People are asking about the death penalty.
Mr. Sambo, what would you like to say
to the public?
Mr. Sambo. A comment, sir.
The atmosphere at that trial
was unlike anything
ever seen before in Indonesia.
So many people came from out of town,
eager to witness the proceedings.
Thousands of people.
Moving about,
or even just getting inside was difficult.
All there to show their support
through their presence.
Sister Rosti brought a photo of Yosua.
That sent a message,
"I am here for Yosua."
Ordered and adjudged...
Finds the defendant,
Ferdy Sambo, LL.B, B.PS, LL.M,
legally and convincingly guilty
of committing the criminal offense
of complicity in premeditated murder.
Sentences the defendant to...
the death penalty.
Orders the defendant to remain in custody.
Rules that the evidence
attached to the case file
shall be returned
to the public prosecutor to be used in...
It was as if Indonesia won the World Cup.
People were cheering,
and it actually marked
a historic first
for the Republic of Indonesia.
A two-star police general
being sentenced to death.
Sentences the defendant,
Putri Candrawathi,
to a term of imprisonment of...
20 years. Orders...
This is Yosua, the one you killed.
My son's screams. Putri!
Mrs. Rosti
hugged me many times...
saying,
"You are...
the cornerstone of our family.
Never forget us.
We are grateful."
This is the fulfillment of
our family's hopes and our prayers to God.
God revealed His miracles and wonders
through the hands of...
I finally saw them obtain
the justice they had sought.
It was a journey that began with tears
and ended with tears.
When he was first buried,
there was no police involvement,
no honors.
The family had hoped
for a burial with police honors.
Since Yosua was not a criminal offender,
he was entitled to receive
such respect from the force.
Ultimately, Yosua was laid to rest
with the dignity he deserved.
We viewed this
as a restoration of honor for a family
whose loved one
had initially been branded a rapist.
In that moment, we could see
a glimmer of joy for the family.
That...
That was a truly extraordinary
achievement.
Because the family had succeeded
in realizing their dream.
I wept openly
because the family's wish
had been fulfilled...
That is why, regarding the Yosua case,
and the pursuit of justice in Indonesia,
I believe justice is not merely
something to be fought for.
It must be seized.
That was our struggle at the time,
a fight to seize justice.
From whom? From the wicked individuals
who initially claimed to be victims,
when in fact
they were the true perpetrators.
The Yosua incident
served as an eye-opener,
revealing that
such things had been
happening frequently and for a long time.
Yet this particular case
crossed all boundaries
as the full weight of power
was mobilized to cover it up.
Ultimately, Yosua's death was not in vain
because it fueled the determination
to bring the truth to light.
THE SUPREME COURT, BY A 3-TO-2 DECISION,
COMMUTED FERDY SAMBO'S DEATH SENTENCE
TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN AUGUST 2023.
UNDER THE NEW CRIMINAL CODE
WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY 2026,
A LIFE SENTENCE CAN BE CONVERTED
TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON
AFTER THE CONVICT HAS SERVED
AT LEAST 15 YEARS IN DETENTION.
THE SUPREME COURT ALSO REDUCED
PUTRI CANDRAWATHI'S PRISON SENTENCE
TO 10 YEARS.
I appreciate the Supreme Court's decision
to reduce the death sentence
to life imprisonment.
But that doesn't make me tolerate
what Sambo did to Yosua Hutabarat.
Many people were happy
when Sambo was punished.
When his sentence was reduced,
many people were disappointed.
But even now people are still saying
Sambo isn't in prison,
that he's traveling because he has money.
He's held at the correctional facility
in Cibinong.
But is he actually there?
Who knows? But I don't want
to discuss that, it's a sensitive matter.
This was a major case,
but unfortunately we've received info
that the people who were
supposedly punished have been reinstated.
It's quite a shock.
Turns out the punishments
were just lip service in the end.
This is perhaps the darkest scandal
in the history of the Indonesian Police,
and it shows the culmination of...
how corrupt the institutional system is.
Ultimately, even the good people
in the police force will become
part of that dirty system.
I... Frankly, sometimes I'm frustrated.
I actually want to give up.
Some people tell me to be realistic.
"Usman, you must have
a family and children."
It's impossible to just live
and ignore the risks.
So...
- Would he defy the commander?
- He wouldn't dare.
He's a good person.
I know him really well.
Leaders on the field
need to be strong and tough.
Subordinates are insolent.
Fire them. Take action.
That's how it's done.
- ...shootout between cops...
- ...residence of the head of Internal...
...Police Inspector General Ferdy Sambo...
That was a surprise.
This scandal caused quite a stir.
Brigadier J came in
and he assaulted the general's wife.
I ask for prayers that my wife
may quickly recover from her trauma.
The suspicious death
of the general's bodyguard,
Yosua Hutabarat,
has shocked the public.
SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE
To this day, it remains unclear, really.
THEY WILL KILL ME. FIND ANOTHER GUY.
WHO WANTS TO KILL YOU? WHY?
He told his girlfriend,
"This gang has a grudge against me.
They're going to finish me off."
Who could have done it?
Sambo, Sambo, Sambo.
Many unresolved issues
surrounding this case.
The surveillance cameras or CCTV
inside the house had long been broken.
The National Police headquarters
has questioned 56 or more individuals,
with 31 of those found to have violated
the code of ethics.
I'm worried, sir.
Those are mob-style tactics.
People wonder what the motive was.
Did Yosua know high-level secrets?
There was something that would have been
exposed had Yosua been allowed to live.
Once again the public asks,
"Why? Why?" and "Why?"
GENERAL MAYHEM: THE KILLING OF BRIGADIER J
In terms of major scandals,
I would say this is one of the biggest.
I heard about it from one of my producers.
ABRAHAM SILABAN
JOURNALISDuring an editorial meeting,
they mentioned a murder case.
There was a report that someone had died,
Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat,
at the residence of a police general,
Mr. Ferdy Sambo,
as a result of a shootout.
I knew the case would blow up.
JULY 9TH, 2022
JAMBI
790 KM FROM JAKARTA
Early on in the case...
it blew up on social media.
You sacrificed yourself! My son... No!
No!
Footage of a mother lamenting
the return of her son's lifeless body.
Followed by scenes of those parents
arguing with officials at their home.
Please open the coffin.
I have no idea what's inside.
Ma'am, how will you be able to bear
seeing the body after the autopsy?
- If you want--
- Let me, sir.
I can handle it because I'm the one
who gave birth to him.
God will give me strength.
For us... and I am Batak, of course,
this is a sacred tradition.
Let the mother who gave birth
to the deceased,
his parent, say her final goodbyes.
They weren't even allowed
to open the casket. Can you imagine?
That was what seemed rather suspicious.
She faced intimidation.
She was interrupted.
And that violated a tradition
that the Batak people have honored
for thousands of years.
Please let me, sir. Let me see my son.
When I first heard
Yosua's mother's wailing...
IRMA HUTABARARELATIVE / ACTIVIS...I couldn't sleep for two weeks.
In the Batak language,
there is a term called "Makuling Mudar."
"Makuling Mudar" means
that the blood resonates.
When a member of the Hutabarat clan
dies or suffers,
the others feel it too.
Yosua's mother mourned him with a sorrow
that defied words.
A mother who felt
that her son had died tragically.
Even though he is no longer here,
he is always present.
I can feel him constantly near me.
He often appears in my dreams.
He also comes to me
when I am lost in thought.
DEEPEST CONDOLENCES
BRIGADIER NOFRIANSYAH YOSHUA HUTABARAPOLICE
Interview with Ito Sumardi.
Take two, let's go.
HEAD OF
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (RETIRED)
To me, it felt like a drama.
At the time of the incident,
I was playing golf.
Then I was contacted
by the National Police Headquarters.
The National Police Chief ordered me
to meet the investigative team.
The case was actually quite simple
at that point.
Two of Mr. Sambo's subordinates
were in conflict,
they exchanged fire,
and one of them died.
Ferdy Sambo used to be my subordinate
and he was a good police officer.
That was my first impression.
He really enforced rules very strictly.
We are committed to ensuring
that reforms continue.
We, or I, as part of the National Police,
will continue to maximize those efforts.
The commander needs to be strong.
If the commander isn't strong,
we'll take him down.
Sambo has handled several major cases,
including the cyanide-laced coffee case,
the fire at the Attorney General's Office,
and the Joko Chandra Red Notice case.
At that time, I had hoped Ferdy Sambo
would reach the highest position,
at least the Chief or the head
of Criminal Investigation Agency.
He went in 2020. He brought documents
back here, then returned to Jakarta.
SAMUEL HUTABARAFATHER OF YOSUA
That was when he began working
for Mr. Ferdy, in 2020.
He used to tell us
that the boss and his wife were kind.
Whenever we asked about the job,
he only had good things to say,
he spoke well of them.
He never said a bad word about them.
His parents said,
"Yosua, you're a good man.
Your superior is proud of you.
Ferdy Sambo and Mrs. Putri Candrawathi
really love you.
You're regarded as part of the family."
NOFRIANSYAH YOSUA HUTABARAI met with Mr. Samuel Hutabarat.
Stay strong, sir.
Mr. Samuel told me
how deeply disturbed he was.
His son's reputation
was ruined by this case.
To make matters worse, his son was named
as a perpetrator of sexual harassment.
JULY 11TH, 2022
On Monday, July 11th,
I was in my office.
INSPECTOR GENERAL SAMBO
A call came in.
POENGKY INDARTI, LL.B, LL.M
It was Sambo.
COMMISSIONER
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
Why was Sambo calling me?
Sambo said,
"Ma'am, I'd like to invite you.
Would you be willing
to come to National Police HQ
for a discussion with me?"
I thought, "Okay.
That shouldn't be a problem."
I was the only woman commissioner
of the National Police Commission.
We strive to make the police force
more professional and independent.
I was always the only woman around.
For me, it was a challenge.
I had to show that I was
at least on par with my colleagues,
or perhaps even better.
In the afternoon,
I went to National Police Headquarters.
When I arrived,
I was immediately ushered into a room.
AWARD
FERDY SAMBO
Turns out it was Sambo's office.
I thought, "Why is it so dark in here?
And where are the others?"
Things were starting to feel strange.
Not long after, Sambo arrived.
"I need your help, Ma'am.
I'm facing a crisis.
My wife has been sexually assaulted."
That's what he said, and he was crying.
I was shocked.
How could something like that happen?
I felt deep sympathy regarding his wife.
I was concerned for her
if she truly was a victim.
I listened as he told his story.
"At the official residence, my wife
was resting when Yosua suddenly came in.
My wife was startled
and screamed, 'Richard!'"
Because she remembered
there were other aides upstairs.
Yosua was startled too. He made a threat.
He was carrying a gun and he said,
"If you speak, I'll kill you. Shut up!"
But the wife kept screaming.
She screamed and Yosua left the room.
Apparently Richard had arrived.
Yosua immediately opened fire,
and a shootout happened.
Then Sambo came back
to the official residence
and saw that Yosua was already dead.
That's what Sambo said.
JULY 11TH, 2022
I received a WhatsApp message
from a journalist.
"Ma'am, what is the Commission's take
on the case in Duren Tiga?"
Wow, I was taken aback.
It had already reached the media.
I was in Jakarta. I actually
didn't pay much attention to the news.
CHAIR
HUMAN RIGHTS NATIONAL COMMISSION
It wasn't until 10:00 p.m.
that I read the news.
There had been a murder.
...shootout between cops...
...residence of the head of Internal...
...Inspector General Ferdy Sambo...
Brigadier J suddenly came in and he...
assaulted the general's wife.
Second Patrolman Eliezer had to
shoot Brigadier Yosua in self-defense.
Richard saved Sambo's wife.
So Richard was the hero.
Sambo said that he would be awarded
a commendation by the Police Chief.
I said, "Wow,
this is actually serious, huh?
Something like this happened
at Sambo's house."
So I was still not fully aware
of what was going on.
But at one point, I received some advice
from a retired police general.
He said, "You have to be careful
while handling this case."
I asked, "Why?"
He said, "Come on,
you know who's involved."
He meant Sambo.
Sambo was the head of Internal Affairs.
Internal Affairs is essentially
the "police for the police."
At ease!
PRESISI!
Every misconduct by a police officer
is handled by Internal Affairs.
Personnel assigned to Internal Affairs
must possess integrity,
commitment,
and loyalty to the institution.
Not a single Internal Affairs member
commits misconduct
because we must set an example.
He can investigate anyone below
the rank of the National Police Chief,
so many people are afraid.
"I hold power.
I am the 'police of the police.'
Who is there to judge me?"
In the initial stages, we certainly
faced significant limitations in accessing
the actual facts of what occurred.
RIKY FERDIANTO
JOURNALIST - TEMPO
At the outset, journalists,
ourselves included,
often relied heavily
on the police's statement.
We accepted the account
of a shootout as fact.
Brigadier J suddenly came in and he
assaulted the general's wife.
But when the South Jakarta Police chief
at the time stated
that sexual assault had occurred,
our reaction was...
JOURNALIST - TEMPO
"Wait, this requires an investigation.
The police shouldn't be saying that.
- They shouldn't be drawing conclusions."
- It was premature.
Because no investigation
had taken place yet.
Say "still investigating."
If they said that,
"We are still investigating the motive,"
we might have believed it.
Something was wrong.
Something wasn't right about the case.
That's what made us decide,
"Okay, let's go full steam ahead."
When we hear that the alleged shootout
stemmed from sexual assault,
we naturally have to ask
about the evidence.
We sought details
about what had transpired,
but we faced difficulties
because things were shrouded in secrecy.
Even at that stage, we encountered
intimidation and irregularities.
Naturally, we also found it difficult
to gain access to Mr. Ferdy Sambo.
Head of Internal Affairs,
Inspector General Ferdy Sambo,
couldn't hold back his tears
when visited
by the Jakarta Metro police chief,
Inspector General Fadil Imran,
this past Wednesday, July 13th.
Fadil then embraced Sambo
and patted his junior on the back.
He also kissed Sambo on the forehead
and hugged him tightly once more.
That made us wonder,
"What is going on here?"
Perhaps they took us...
for mindless apes.
I stood with the grieving family.
They were devastated.
Death itself is already a huge burden.
On top of that, there was slander.
I offer my condolences
on the passing of Brigadier Yosua.
May his family be granted strength.
However, all that
has no bearing on what Yosua did
to my wife and family.
I ask for prayers that my wife
may quickly recover from her trauma.
Sister Rosti embraced me,
sobbing uncontrollably.
She told me,
"I want Yosua's name cleared
because my son was not the person
they portrayed him to be."
So I prepared a plan.
We would light 3,000 candles.
The intent was simply to offer prayers,
to encourage people
not to fear the police,
and rather to support efforts
to uncover the truth behind the case.
What we can do is seek the truth.
Who was the killer? Why was he killed?
How can we prevent it happening again?
As people who have been wronged,
ordinary citizens,
parents grieving the loss of a child,
we ask that true justice be served.
I was deeply moved
by the struggle of the community.
A single case originating
in a remote village corner
sparked an explosion of public outcry
that resonated across all of Indonesia.
THE LOSS OF A LIFE
DUE TO THE EXERCISE OF POWER
IS A WOUND INFLICTED UPON
THE ENTIRE NATION.
"AGREED"
First of all, I was surprised.
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
Ms. Poengky told me
that Sambo had been in tears.
DAILY CHIEF
OF NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
He'd said that he was facing a crisis,
something of that nature.
Ms. Poengky and I took initiative.
We asked to visit
the scene of the incident.
Given my background
as a national shooting coach,
analyzing the trajectory of the shots,
the firing distance, and so forth
would be easier for me to do
since that was my area of expertise.
The late Yosua died here.
We saw a mannequin there
depicting someone aiming a weapon.
A line was drawn to the point
where the gunshot wound was located.
The trajectory of the shot
was aligned with the person who fired it.
He was right here, Yosua.
And then it happened, "Bang!"
Just "bang."
That is the head of the South Jakarta
Criminal Investigation Unit at the time.
The District Police Chief
seemed a bit nervous, though.
So the story was indeed a shootout
between Richard and Yosua,
just as Sambo had described it.
At first glance,
it seemed plausible to us.
And that is what we told the media
when they asked.
I went to the scene myself,
listened firsthand and personally examined
the available evidence,
including the photographs.
So this case did originate
with an incident of sexual assault
committed by Brigadier J.
So as far as you can tell,
there are no irregularities?
None at all.
But I don't really understand shootouts,
you know? So I asked,
"Is this for real or not?"
I had a very strong feeling
that this was a murder victim.
LEGAL COUNSEL OF YOSUA'S FAMILY
I am a lawyer
who has fought for justice all my life.
My wife and children
have also been threatened before.
Seeing that I couldn't be intimidated,
they targeted my family instead.
I asked Mr. Kamaruddin,
"Are we seriously going to get involved
and represent Yosua?"
He said, "You're going to be
involved too, you know."
I thought, "Whoa, hold on a minute."
I had to discuss it with my wife first
because my kid was still very young,
only three years old at the time.
It wouldn't be funny if I took the case
and my kid ended up without a father.
After careful consideration and prayer,
I decided to take the case.
I told my wife,
"If anything happens,
the first thing you must do
is leave the country."
At that time,
the house was under police guard.
They wouldn't allow the casket
to be opened.
Yosua's aunts waited
for a moment
when the guards weren't watching.
They quickly opened the casket
and discovered numerous bruises
and gunshot wounds fired from behind.
We got several photos of the victim
that aroused our suspicions.
The gunshot wounds on Yosua's body
presented many irregularities.
Those were the photos given to us.
That is what ultimately led us to suspect
that Yosua hadn't been involved
in a shootout...
but had been executed.
Then I spoke with Samuel Hutabarat,
"What do we do, sir?
Our opponents are generals."
So I told him,
"Just sign the power of attorney.
I will represent you."
Based on our calculations and the facts,
we are firmly convinced
that this was a premeditated murder.
The response from the police was mixed.
Some were pleased, others were hostile.
Some of them did not hesitate
to share the information they possessed.
POLICE STATION
GETTING BUSY, BROTHER
RIGHT, WE'LL SOON CRACK THE MYSTERY
BEHIND THIS TORTURE AND MURDER
RIGHT, BROTHER...
DO YOUR BEST, GOD BLESS
The information I received
was extremely detailed,
identifying who the perpetrators were
and who their subordinates were.
I had all those details.
Several police officers called me, saying,
"Ma'am, it's impossible
that it was a shootout."
Richard was on the upper staircase,
implying he was framed
by walls on his left and right,
whereas Yosua was in an open area.
Yosua was his senior
and a far better shot.
That naturally makes us suspicious.
Was the story actually true?
Well, it's hard to say. I wanted
to believe it, but I kept having doubts.
Something just didn't sit right.
We finally decided
it would be best for us to go to Jambi,
Yosua's hometown.
This is...
Nofriansyah Yosua's final exam results.
TEACHER
SUNGAI BAHAR PUBLIC HIGH 4
His highest score was in English,
he achieved a 9.00 on his school exam.
His grade in Religious Studies
was also excellent.
Yosua was a source of pride
for his parents
and a role model for his younger siblings.
But the way his life ended
was truly tragic.
As for the news reports
claiming Yosua engaged in misconduct...
In my opinion, he's not
that kind of person because...
It's just not possible.
Yeah. You could say he's not like that
because, well, he's a good person.
Among all the siblings, older and younger,
he had the best character.
When speaking to his mother, he would say,
"Mom, stay strong, keep praying."
He refused to discuss unpleasant matters,
he only shared good things.
He never wanted to cause us any trouble.
REGIONAL POLICE FORCE
JAMBI
This was our visit to the Jambi
Regional Police Mobile Brigade Unit.
We met with Yosua's superiors
and colleagues.
We wanted to ask how Yosua
came to be recruited by Sambo.
We were informed that Sambo himself
had requested him.
He wanted someone who was good-looking,
computer-literate, and tall.
Someone to serve as both
a bodyguard and a driver.
There was no need
for any elaborate selection process.
Secondly,
there was a point raised,
that since Yosua was a sniper, it seemed
implausible for him to lose in a shootout.
That's what his father had said.
You see, on major holidays
like Eid al-Fitr, he wouldn't come home.
He would be on duty, standing guard
at high-risk locations as a sniper.
When it came to marksmanship,
I had no doubts about him.
After all, he was originally
part of the Mobile Brigade.
Have you ever heard
that Yosua was a sniper?
INTERVIEW WITH YOSUA'S FORMER COLLEAGUE
He was a good shot. He had good marks.
-He didn't hold the qualification badge?
- Not yet.
Right, so he didn't hold
the sniper qualification.
- He would have needed further training.
- Further training.
So he wasn't actually a sniper.
So it would make sense if, for instance,
Yosua lost out during a shootout.
When I arrived at the victim's home,
I sensed
a great deal of suspicion from the family.
There was a sense of anger.
They refused to accept the situation
and wanted the case reopened,
which is how it became
a public, national issue.
At the time, I noticed
certain irregularities and anomalies.
We then reported this
to the National Police Chief.
We said, "Sir, this investigation
is a ticking time bomb.
What do you think, Chief?
Should we open this case up
for an objective review or not?"
There was considerable turmoil
within National Police HQ at the time,
with opinions sharply divided.
And he declared, "I have decided
that we will open this case."
We would like to ensure
the matter is handled properly.
To that end, I have formed...
a special team.
National Police HQ asked us
to participate in resolving the issue
due to the public distrust
that the police faced.
I was included when the formation
of the special team was announced.
The team re-examined all testimonies
and re-evaluated the findings
from the crime scene investigation.
We started by gathering the facts.
From the start, I was one of those who
constantly made a fuss about the cameras.
I had said I was suspicious
that two CCTV cameras were missing.
One inside the house and another nearby.
Logically speaking,
given Ferdy Sambo's high-risk position,
which naturally attracted many enemies,
cameras would have been
an absolutely essential tool.
Why, then, were the cameras broken
at the time of the incident?
they said they had been
struck by lightning.
I HOPE THE TEAM THAT DAMAGED THE CAMERAS
REALLY GETS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
And that became satire, a joke everywhere.
SO MANY PLACES YET THE LIGHTNING
CHOSE TO STRIKE SAMBO'S HOUSE
JUDGE, PUNISH HEAVILY
THE LIARS WHO BLAME THE LIGHTNING
The public is upset
that there might be dishonesty.
Once again the public asks,
"Why? Why?" and "Why?"
Sambo, Sambo, Sambo.
Now we've decided to discuss Sambo again.
Yes, there are still many
unresolved issues surrounding this case.
Sambo claimed he knew nothing and was not
at the scene when Yosua was shot.
Sambo said, "I was actually on my way
to a former high-ranking police official's
house to play badminton."
NEIGHBORHOOD HEAD SAID
PLAINCLOTHES REPLACED THE CAMERA DECODERS
KAMARUDDIN SIMANJUNTAK:
THE CRIME SCENE WAS TAMPERED WITH
DESTROYING EVIDENCE IS A CRIME
I'm sure he was there
when Yosua was killed.
POLICE
Check the footage from all the neighbors.
It's bound to be there.
The damaged camera,
the one right at the scene.
But the cameras along this route,
around the crime scene,
these have already been investigated.
That footage is truly the key.
It shows a car containing Mrs. Putri,
Richard, and Yosua.
Here we can see Yosua.
He's wearing a white t-shirt
and blue jeans.
Mrs. Putri is wearing a brownish shirt.
Shortly after, Sambo's car arrived,
accompanied by a police escort motorcycle.
He then steps out of the car.
We can see one of his aides
running up to him.
According to their explanation, this was
because Sambo's pistol had fallen.
Moments later, we can see
Sambo walking quite hurriedly,
accompanied by one of his aides.
He enters the house.
When Sambo arrived, Yosua was still alive.
Yosua even opened the gate for him.
That was a surprise. We were stunned.
Here, the shooting
had already taken place.
In reality, there was no prolonged
interaction between Sambo and Yosua.
It lasted less than two minutes.
After that, we can see
Mrs. Putri leave in a hurry,
wearing different clothes.
The external camera footage
effectively refutes Sambo's claim
that he arrived only after the murder
had already taken place.
Furthermore, I received
unofficial information
indicating that Sambo was,
in fact, the perpetrator.
I asked, "How do you know
Sambo is the one who did it?"
"We got the info from an insider,"
that's what they said,
someone involved
in orchestrating the cover-up.
The first to arrive at the crime scene
weren't the South Jakarta police.
They were from Internal Affairs.
Sambo's people.
They took care of everything.
Just hours after Yosua's body
was taken to the police hospital,
the scene was immediately cleaned.
That only made us more suspicious.
They should have set up a police line.
- But no.
- They didn't.
They even mopped up the blood.
The initial investigators
had close ties to Sambo.
They used to be his subordinates.
They were experienced in handling cases.
If they wanted to cover their tracks,
they knew that camera footage
was a key element to address.
They wanted the scene to align
with Sambo's alibi
that claimed he wasn't at Duren Tiga
when the shooting with Yosua took place.
To me, that was the turning point.
If the police officers involved had truly
acted as objective investigators,
they would have believed us.
Behind the scenes, they actually told us,
"We believe you."
But the reality was that
they had to...
work based on evidence.
So we demanded a second autopsy for Yosua.
And we insisted the autopsy be conducted
by the joint armed forces, not the police.
The results of this autopsy would provide
the evidence that speaks for itself.
FIND OUT WHERE THE FORENSIC
AND AUTOPSY PERMITS CAME FROM.
The results of the first autopsy...
I WILL FIND OUT, BROTHER...
...have been kept secret to this day.
We still don't have them.
At first, I didn't know
why we had to perform a second autopsy.
Was there a mistake or an oversight?
FORENSIC PATHOLOGISPUBLIC CEMETERY
SUKA MAKMUR VILLAGE
I was told we had to perform a re-autopsy.
So I said if it was indeed necessary,
we had to do it immediately.
A second autopsy
would certainly be far more complex
than the first.
The body would no longer be fresh,
unlike during the first examination.
Frankly, it was confusing.
We were unsure on how to resolve the case.
If the results were the same,
we could face criticism.
If they were different,
it would raise further questions.
SUNGAI BAHAR REGIONAL HOSPITAL
It was a highly emotional experience,
seeing how much the family
was pinning their hopes on us
and awaiting the results.
We were anxious about the possibility
of overlooking something,
or that our efforts might ultimately
yield no results at all.
This image of the skin shows an injury.
The discontinuity in the epidermis
indicates a wound.
The wound is also surrounded
by inflammatory cells.
These inflammatory cells
could not have migrated to the site
after the person had already died.
So the presence of these
inflammatory cells around the wound
indicates that the injury occurred
while the person was still alive.
GUNSHOT WOUND
The wound at the back of the head
was the final injury that occurred.
The wound at the back of the head
was the fatal one.
FATAL GUNSHOT WOUND
When a bullet exits
the muzzle of a firearm,
it is designed to travel
with a spinning motion.
Upon striking a human body,
even soft tissue,
the bullet can theoretically deflect
by three to five degrees.
The bullet penetrated the skull.
Although the skull is actually quite hard,
the bullet remained on its trajectory.
The nature of the wound suggests
it was inflicted at very close range.
To me, it is a truly
terrifying thought.
How could someone do such a thing?
Fire a shot
into the back of the head like that.
Who could have done it?
The conclusion is that he was shot,
it wasn't a shootout.
The truth of what actually happened
began to come to light.
An investigator is inevitably
haunted by suspicion.
They can't simply accept
anything they are told at face value.
It was the same
when I interrogated Richard Eliezer.
PROTECTION OF 2ND PATROLMAN ELIEZER
There were many inconsistencies
in his account of the events.
The first issue was psychological.
He described how, after the shootout,
Yosua had collapsed.
He said he walked down two or three steps
and then shot Yosua in the head.
I asked, "Why did you shoot someone
who had already collapsed?"
He said it was to make sure there would be
no further resistance from Yos.
As someone with decades
of investigative experience,
I thought, "Something's not right here."
Have you ever shot anyone before?
Just this once.
But because we... how do I say this?
Yosua and I were close friends.
I had shot him,
so I was somewhat in shock.
That was a voice recording
of the first time I met
Second Patrolman Richard Eliezer.
I said to him,
"Your first shot was self-defense.
Your second shot
might also be considered self-defense.
Possibly.
But what about
your third, fourth, and fifth shot?
If someone had already been hit twice,
why shoot them three more times?"
Richard was going to face
severe legal consequences
because the victim was already
incapacitated when they were shot.
I was deeply concerned Richard Eliezer
was being made into a scapegoat.
The young man was being sacrificed.
I met with the commissioner
of Human Rights, Ahmad Taufan Damanik.
He said to me,
"You know, Richard seems like a good guy.
If you could reach out to him,
he might just be willing
to turn on his boss.
I hear he's been promised protection."
RICHARD ELIEZER FACES ETHICS HEARING
Basically it was, "Don't worry, Chard,
you'll never face trial.
The case will be dropped.
You killed him in self-defense,
so you and the lady
are the real victims here."
A friend of his
from the Mobile Brigade said,
"I... We're worried that Richard
will end up being the scapegoat.
We know what Sambo is like, Ma'am."
We reached a conclusion.
The only person who could link
the murder of Yosua was Richard Eliezer.
DEOLIPA YUMARA
LEGAL COUNSEL OF RICHARD ELIEZER
Working as a lawyer
is actually a hobby of mine.
Another hobby of mine is music.
I prefer music or singing compared to law.
I didn't follow the case very closely.
Back then, I was in Bali.
I was making a video clip.
Cut!
So I was asked by a senior police official
to approach Eliezer,
leveraging my expertise
as both a lawyer and a psychology expert.
However, I immediately received a call
from an external party whom I cannot name.
This person jokingly said
that my moves were already known to them,
to said external party.
They laughed and suggested there was
a listening device hidden in my hair.
I asked, "So what's the objective?"
They said,
"Please focus on fully exposing this case
so that nothing is covered up."
This person was a high-ranking official.
I understood the mission.
It was clear that this case
was extremely urgent and significant.
At the Criminal Investigation Agency,
security was indeed tight.
The people standing guard
were fully armed Mobile Brigade troops.
They asked me, "Where are you going?"
It was tense.
The first time I saw Eliezer,
it was obvious he was afraid,
he was tense.
It looked like depression
had taken a hold of him.
To get Eliezer to confess,
we first had to understand his psyche.
How is his state of mind?
What is his inner turmoil?
What are his fears? What are his doubts?
Then I asked him to pray with me.
Afterwards, he began to calm down.
Eliezer said,
"I would like to convey an apology."
"To whom?" "To Yosua and his family."
Eliezer then wrote down his confession.
As I read through all those
handwritten notes,
I thought, "Wow..."
I was stunned.
"How could General Sambo do that?"
Eliezer had been promised a sum
of one billion, if I recall correctly,
by Sambo and his wife.
As it turns out, the truth is that
Yosua did not fire a shot,
and Eliezer was ordered
by General Sambo to shoot.
The late Yosua was kneeling before Sambo.
In that position,
Sambo issued an order to Richard,
"Hey, shoot now! Shoot!"
Eliezer fired four shots
and Sambo did the rest.
As it turned out,
the key figure was Sambo himself.
When I revealed Eliezer's story
to the public,
I was technically breaching
professional legal ethics
as lawyers are prohibited
from disclosing substantive details
related to an ongoing investigation.
But that rule had to be broken.
For whose sake? For Eliezer's safety,
and to ensure the accuracy of the account.
By making that disclosure,
it paved the way
for Eliezer to receive protection
as he was set to become
a justice collaborator.
At this stage of my life,
it never crossed my mind
that while serving
a two-star general
who I deeply trusted and respected,
I was actually being used.
I was lied to and treated as expendable.
I never imagined I would experience
such a painful ordeal
like this in my life.
The case then took a turn.
Richard subsequently admitted
that it was not a shootout,
but an execution.
The shootout between Richard Eliezer
and Brigadier Yosua was,
in reality, a staged scenario.
And we know who the director was.
We know the name of the screenwriter.
I am absolutely convinced
that Richard was coerced by Sambo.
An enlisted officer simply wouldn't defy
a commissioned officer.
He could have been killed for it.
At first, it was indeed very complicated,
because there was
a highly systematic effort
by a group of people
within the police force to cover it up.
There were fabricated lies
and an orchestrated
public deception,
orchestrated by people
acting in support of Sambo.
Now surely they ought to see
the reality of the situation.
So this case did originate
with an incident of sexual assault
committed by Brigadier J.
So as far as you can tell,
there are no irregularities?
None at all.
Frankly, the fabricated scenario
was quite robust
because it was backed
by rigged testimonies
and a staged crime scene.
So, everything aligned.
A member of the National Police Commission
acted like a spokesperson
for the South Jakarta Police's account...
that turned out to be inaccurate.
DEPUTY CHAIR OF COMMISSION III
OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- This is mind-boggling.
- Yes.
Mr. Benny was misled
and subsequently bullied
by the media and the public.
HE'S A COP. WHY WOULD HE SUPERVISE
THE COP THAT KILL THEIR OWN?
HE SHOULD BE FIRED!
FIRE HIM. EMBARRASSING FOR THE COMMISSION
TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE BENNY AJINAMOTO.
Sambo's narrative was strong
from the beginning.
Even entertaining suspicions about him
raised questions because he was
Internal Affairs, "police of the police."
Surely he wouldn't lie, right?
Obstruction of justice
has recently been widely discussed
in connection with the murder of
Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat.
It ranges from fabricating the case
and destroying evidence
to obstructing the investigation process.
The role Mr. Sambo held
was incredibly powerful.
He simply had to say,
"Have him sent for training,
have her transferred,"
and it would easily be done.
Lord Acton said, "Power tends to corrupt.
Absolute power
tends to corrupt absolutely."
He's like a very cunning godfather.
I met directly
with the National Police Chief.
We discussed that
in order to solve the case,
the hierarchical psychological barrier
had to be removed.
The structure allegedly involved
had to be dismantled first
so that the superior-subordinate dynamic
would no longer be a factor.
Yesterday, we questioned 25 personnel,
and that number has now risen to 31.
Five police officers are implicated in
the premeditated murder of Brigadier Yosua
because they are suspected of helping
Inspector Ferdy Sambo obstruct justice.
The five police officers range in rank
from general to police commissioner.
How did it come to this?
Frankly, it worries me
that our police force is like this.
It is truly dangerous.
How do you feel?
Disappointed, frustrated, angry.
After thirty years of service,
I am devastated
and at the very lowest point of my career.
Ferdy Sambo not only ruined careers,
but also lives.
There were one-star officers,
senior commissioners,
junior officers who were rising stars...
They all followed his instructions
even though they knew it was a crime.
This reflects our culture.
In Indonesia, we still operate
under a paternalistic system.
As a subordinate receiving orders
from a superior,
it depends on me whether or not
I have the courage to push back.
I personally don't care
whether a superior likes me or not.
If something is wrong,
I will say it's wrong.
This is the mindset
that truly needs to be instilled
in the next generation of police officers.
Furthermore, the National Police Chief
has stated,
"I will not protect Sambo."
And the special team has decided
to name Ferdy Sambo as a suspect.
AMJI ATTAK BASE
Awaiting trial, Sambo will be detained
at the Mobile Brigade headquarters.
The interrogation of Sambo
didn't last long.
He likely realized
that we had uncovered different facts,
including, of course,
the confession from Richard Eliezer.
He said, "That's enough, sir.
No need to question me any further.
I admit wrongdoing."
SAMBO APOLOGIZES TO THE PARENTS
"How could you do that?" I asked.
"You sacrificed
a young man from a poor family."
He apologized then.
"I am ready to accept my punishment,
whatever it is," he said, weeping again.
I offer my apologies to those
affected by my actions,
including Yosua's parents.
There was relief
especially after Ferdy Sambo
and Putri Candrawathi
were named as suspects.
I ask for your prayers
that I may have the strength
to face all this.
I am entrusting the care of my children
both at home
and at their respective schools.
To my beloved children,
study hard,
keep pursuing your dreams,
and always do your very best.
At the time, I couldn't wrap my head
around it. "Why did Sambo do this?"
Why was Sambo so hell-bent
on killing Yosua?
There had to be something bigger,
a larger scheme at play.
The initial story was that
the sexual assault took place
at the official residence in Duren Tiga.
However, this version was later amended.
The sexual assault did not occur
at the residence in Duren Tiga...
but rather took place
in Magelang the day before.
APPROXIMATELY 500 KILOMETERS
Mrs. Putri Candrawathi is describing
what happened.
We don't know what happened in this room.
There was Brigadier Yosua
and Mrs. Putri Candrawathi.
What happened in PC's room
between Yosua and PC remains a mystery.
However, if one were to claim
that sexual violence occurred,
there are...
things that do not fit the scenario.
The boss was Mrs. Putri.
Yosua was her subordinate.
How could a subordinate dare to commit
sexual violence against his boss?
Furthermore,
typically, a victim of sexual violence
would not want to meet,
look at the face of,
or live with the perpetrator.
Yet strangely, the victim, who still
held authority over the household,
allowed the perpetrator
to continue living there.
Then the following day, July 8th,
they made the long overland journey
back to Jakarta together.
APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS BY CAR
This is difficult to accept.
Camera footage begins
in Magelang, Central Java.
At 02:03 p.m.,
Brigadier Yosua is seen
wearing a white shirt
as he steps out of a black SUV.
Yosua appeared to be in perfect health
as he entered a restroom
with a colleague before setting off again.
In the camera footage,
Brigadier Yosua was last seen
leaving the private residence
of Police Inspector General Ferdy Sambo
at around 05:00 p.m.
In this case,
what turned this into a big drama
was of course Putri Candrawathi.
Because of the superior-subordinate
relationship...
PROFESSOR OF CRIMINOLOGY
...between Yosua and the wife,
it's virtually impossible.
He would be aware of the risks.
So if something did occur,
the relationship between Yosua
and Sambo's wife would have shifted.
That needs to be investigated.
At the time, photos emerged
showing the closeness
between Yosua and Mrs. Putri.
I spoke with a colleague of his
from the same cohort.
I asked, "In your opinion,
was it normal or not for Yosua
to enter Mrs. Putri's bedroom?
Wouldn't it have been suspicious?"
"No, Ma'am."
I was surprised. "Really? Why not?"
"If Yosua was close to the lady,
then it was fine for him to come inside."
I received information
about a crucial piece of evidence...
CHAIR OF INDONESIA POLICE WATCH
...for tracing...
the communication between the victim,
Brigadier Yosua, and Mrs. PC.
Yet this evidence was never seized
or subjected to digital forensic analysis.
After all, if it were exposed,
what would it reveal?
Meanwhile, images were circulating
in the public sphere.
I even received some from an informant,
someone I believe to be a police officer,
regarding their close relationship.
On Yosua's birthday,
Mrs. PC gave him a cake
and a message
that demonstrated their closeness.
I suspect there was a relationship
between the wife and Yosua,
causing Sambo to feel enraged
because he viewed his subordinate
as having betrayed him.
Consumed by that anger, he lost control
and committed the murder.
Based on the evidence we obtained,
that is the situation,
yet Sambo refuses to admit it.
He loves his wife deeply,
as she was his first love.
Or so the story goes.
Consequently, he likely
wouldn't want to cast blame on her.
That is my assessment.
To my husband, Ferdy Sambo...
PUTRI'S VOICE
...please forgive me.
As your life partner,
I have been far from perfect.
No words can describe...
just how proud and happy I am...
to have a life partner
with such a big heart.
OCTOBER 17TH, 2022
SOUTH JAKARTA DISTRICT COURCLASS 1A SPECIAL
And today
the South Jakarta District Court will hold
the first hearing
in the murder case of Brigadier Yosua.
Yes, under tight security,
we see Ferdy Sambo arrive
at around 09:00 a.m.
Western Indonesian Time.
PLEASE REMAIN CALM
DURING TRIAL
The Sambo case became a conversation topic
for everyone, including our family.
And what I gathered was a consensus that...
JOURNALIST, PARBOABOA
...PC was a bitch,
a seductress,
a sex maniac.
Old hag! Old hag!
Death penalty!
Drama queen!
YOU KEEP ACCUSING A DEAD PERSON...
There are always two sides to every story.
Journalists are expected to be objective,
impartial, and to cover both sides.
Driven by our interest
in delving deeper into Mrs. PC,
a colleague suggested, "Why don't we
arrange another meeting with Mrs. PC?
Perhaps she would be willing to meet
and explain
what actually happened in Magelang."
People had painted
such a negative picture of Putri,
portraying her as a seductress
who was having an affair with another man,
someone who loved wearing designer bags
and flaunting a sexy image.
Yet what we actually saw
was worlds away from that, right?
She was a mother with no makeup,
her hair tied back, dressed simply.
Had we not had the chance
to meet Mrs. PC in person,
we would have shared the same opinion
as the general public.
In my view...
people were miles off the mark.
Completely different from the reality
we witnessed at the time.
I still remember her mostly like this,
clutching her hands this way.
We were discussing the events
that actually took place in Magelang.
She kept her head down
and appeared to be weeping
as she recounted the story.
At the time, Mrs. PC was unwell.
She had apparently dozed off
for a short while
and was startled to find Yosua
already inside her room.
- I asked her.
- Yes.
- That was a question that had to be...
- Answered.
"Did penetration occur?" She nodded.
Yes. So... That implies the incident,
the rape, actually happened.
As a woman, I have to believe
the victim's version of events.
Because if I don't,
who else is going to listen to the story?
So we interviewed with various parties,
including psychiatrists, psychologists,
the National Commission for Women.
And the story Mrs. PC told us
was consistent with what she had revealed
- to the Women's Commission.
- The Commission.
In the capacity of...
I asked a friend from the Commission.
The chairperson, Ms. Andy.
At the time, Andy said,
"When I met Mrs. Putri, I suddenly felt
a sense of deadness, you know?"
"Yeah, it really seemed
like she was suffering terribly."
And it's like a knife slicing
into the raw ache of a wound
that has never healed.
I was sexually assaulted
and abused by someone
we had deeply trusted,
someone we considered family.
This bitter ordeal unfolded on the day
of our 22nd wedding anniversary.
In many cases in Indonesia,
when a rape occurs,
the woman is the one blamed
for various reasons.
"Why was she wearing a miniskirt?"
Why was she sexy?
"Why was she dressed provocatively?"
While the man is not held accountable.
I view this as likely stemming
from patriarchal culture.
If a woman makes a mistake,
it gets blown out of proportion,
whereas the man
seems to get off scot-free.
As journalists, we were deeply troubled
seeing this reality,
and our instincts told us
we had to dig deeper.
We knew we would be up against
mainstream opinion,
views that would be difficult to sway.
We factored that risk into our decision,
given our reputation
as independent journalists.
We'll inevitably be labeled like,
"They're defending that group over there.
They're likely getting paid
or acting on orders," and so on.
But we chose to follow our conscience.
We kept digging to understand
the true nature of PC's character.
Through various sources, we learned
that she was a woman...
who chose to yield.
Loyal.
Loyal to her husband.
She wouldn't act on her own impulses,
but would defer to her husband's wishes.
I remember a professor from the University
of Indonesia's Faculty of Law said this.
They said PC was a dentist
from a very well-off family.
She's certainly not stupid.
As an educated person, surely
she would have reported rape immediately?
She could have simply called a doctor
for a forensic examination.
But perhaps the professor wasn't aware of
the background details
Rin mentioned earlier.
She was trying to keep the incident quiet
to prevent it from spreading,
for the sake of her husband's career.
Being a police officer's wife
has taught me to constantly balance
multiple roles and responsibilities,
both toward my family
and the Bhayangkari organization.
I learned how to stand
by my husband's side.
I gained valuable guidance and experience
from senior members of Bhayangkari.
There are times when I feel
I can no longer go on living this life.
Yet I am grateful
that the memory of my husband's embrace,
smile, and even his tears
sustained me when the world
seemed to hold not a shred of hope
for justice.
Frankly, I felt very sorry for Mrs. PC.
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
Her trauma stems
not merely from the rape itself,
but from the impact on her husband,
specifically his rage.
His wife had been raped
by someone he loved,
a cherished subordinate.
He couldn't believe it.
But when the question arose,
"Did it really happen?"
he lost composure.
He felt it was all meaningless.
He stripped off his rank insignia.
He lost sight of everything
and flew into a rage.
That is the kind of aggression
that unfolded. He lost control.
I looked at my husband.
His eyes were vacant,
his body was trembling,
and his breathing had become labored.
My anger flared up
as I imagined
what had been done to my wife.
Boiling with rage,
I demanded to know why Yosua
had acted so insolently toward her.
Yet Yosua replied brazenly,
"Insolent in what way, Commander?"
Acting as if nothing at all had happened.
My patience and reason vanished.
I don't know what went through
my mind at that moment.
The words simply burst from my lips,
"Get him, Chard. Get him."
Regardless of the motive,
as a general and a high-ranking official,
he should not have committed murder.
He ought to have upheld the law
by bringing
the person he suspected
of sexual misconduct to justice in court.
Thus, we classify this
as extrajudicial killing.
This case became truly insane,
or shall we say addictive.
Through mass media,
Sambo's image was completely destroyed.
BEHEADING IS THE ONLY JUST PUNISHMENUNFAIR! SAMBO SHOULD BE SENTENCED TO DEATH
FS DESERVES THE DEATH PENALTY
This was trial by mass media.
Trial by social media, by netizens.
My name, my name is Sambo!
My rank, my rank is general
I initially intended to title
this defense statement "A Futile Defense."
This is because the insults,
verbal abuse, mockery,
and immense pressure from all parties
against my family and I
throughout the investigation
and trial of this case
frequently drove me
to despair and frustration.
Various accusations and even verdicts
were leveled against me
before the panel of judges
had issued its ruling.
It appears that legal principles
have been disregarded in this case
in which I stand as the defendant.
Interview with Usman Hamid,
shot one take three.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INDONESIA
I suppose it's not easy
for anyone to speak up
regarding the Sambo case.
Those who possess confidential information
prefer to remain silent
because the system is already corrupt.
Of course people like me
face significant risk in saying this,
but I simply want Indonesia
to have a bright future for its children.
Every night, it's impossible for me
to resolve my anxiety,
so I keep being a detective,
trying to uncover what actually happened.
Throughout the trials,
the case file was reduced
right from the start
to merely the issues of murder
and infidelity.
Therefore we conclude that no assault
occurred on July 7th, 2022 in Magelang,
but rather there was an affair
between the witness Putri Candrawathi
and the victim
Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat.
Ultimately,
there was an attempt to reduce the matter
to a crime solely between Sambo and Yosua.
While the murder of Yosua
was a major issue,
there was an even greater one,
namely the rot
within the National Police force.
There was something that would have been
exposed had Yosua been allowed to live.
An aide-de-camp is someone
other than the ones who directly serve us.
They are the ones who know our secrets.
Let's say I was an official
with secrets
that if they were to be revealed,
my career would be finished.
Naturally I wouldn't want that to happen.
I could resort to various measures.
I could threaten the person or even
eliminate them, that's certainly possible.
That's how the logic would go.
Did Yosua know high-level secrets?
That's still a mystery.
The public awaits Tempo's investigation,
how Tempo uncovers the story.
And this is our moral responsibility
as journalists.
- But I'm always cautious...
- Yes.
...because after all, this is a conflict.
They are armed.
Ensure the team on the field remains
cautious and vigilant at all times.
MANY SENIOR OFFICIALS REFUSED TO SPEAK,
YET THEY SHARED SENSITIVE INFORMATION.
AMONG THEM WERE FINANCIAL RECORDS
NAMING SAMBO.
If I look closely
at that final attachment,
it's an order
for the Red and White Task Force.
This dates back to 2022.
FS was already the head of that.
Regarding verification,
tell our colleagues
that I think we have solid material,
but we need to be cautious
because this involves individuals
with immense authority.
Sambo cannot be viewed
merely as an ordinary police officer.
His most strategic role at the time
was as the head
of the Red and White Task Force.
He commanded a special force of over
200 personnel covering the entire country.
Individuals considered to be
the best of the best.
When we met with an intelligence contact,
he warned us, "Be careful with Sambo.
Don't underestimate him."
This source described
the various activities
carried out by members of the task force.
They had sophisticated
wiretapping equipment...
In fact, when I met
this intelligence contact,
he asked me to turn off my phone.
He explained that if the phone was on,
it could still record conversations.
- That concern was not unfounded.
- Right.
Indeed, later on we learned
Linda was also being targeted.
Intelligence agents visited my home.
We tried to investigate
this intimidation further.
- Who actually orchestrated...
- Exactly.
...and ordered them to terrorize us?
Later we obtained information
indicating that the operation
was orchestrated by three
high-ranking officers, one-star generals,
who were also members
of the task force at the time.
- The Red and White Task Force?
- Yes, correct.
When we reached court, I laid
everything out before the panel of judges
and submitted evidence proving that
Ferdy Sambo was the head
of the Red and White Task Force.
I have the documents right here,
Your Honor.
I see that virtually
the entire police leadership is involved,
ranging from the ranks of advisors,
patrons, to the rest,
and the head of the task force is,
well, Ferdy Sambo.
I have received information
that highly sophisticated
police equipment is being used
to monitor all these movements,
including my own.
Allegations of a mob-like gang
within the police
circulating across social media platforms
have suddenly come under the spotlight.
Is there, in fact, such a mob-like group
within the force
linked to the murder of Brigadier Yosua?
They are granted vast authority,
yet their accountability,
regarding budget utilization
and operational conduct,
is never disclosed to the public.
They hold jurisdiction
over five key areas.
Narcotics, corruption, money laundering,
human trafficking, and terrorism.
These are the five areas
I consider very sexy, so to speak,
due to the flow of money involved.
They can be commandeered.
The former head
of the National Police's Internal Affairs,
Ferdy Sambo, is under increasing scrutiny.
His enormous wealth
has also come under scrutiny.
Ferdy Sambo is also said
to own three luxury homes.
He is also said to collect
several premium cars.
The wealth of this two-star general
is considered unreasonable
compared to his salary.
INSPECTOR GENERAL FERDY SAMBO'S PROPERTIES
The one at Saguling is amazing,
it has an elevator.
He also has plenty of cars.
It's incredible. I wonder where the money
for things like that came from?
I've always believed
that if you want to trace something,
you follow the money.
The documents here are unique.
This one here is a summary of funds.
We probably need to verify this.
There are multiple currencies.
Not just rupiah, but also US dollar,
Singapore dollar, and Australian dollar.
I did some Googling.
It turns out the company is linked
to gambling operations.
It has been blocked repeatedly,
yet it somehow remains active.
At that point, information surfaced
alleging that Sambo
was the person behind Consortium 303.
This consortium's name is derived from
Article 303 of the Criminal Code,
which deals with gambling offenses.
When the Criminal Investigation Agency
looked into the Yosua shooting case,
rumors began to circulate...
- Everywhere.
- ...alleging
that a number
of high-ranking police officials
were acting as backers
for online gambling operations.
And Sambo was suspected
of being the one profiting
from the business.
So another piece of information
we received at the time
that was too significant to ignore
suggested that Yosua
had angered Sambo and his wife
because he wanted to stop
carrying out tasks
that went against his conscience,
specifically, visiting business premises
to collect levies and payments.
He had actually wondered,
"What kind of place is this?"
as the activity conflicted with the law
as well as his own instincts
and conscience.
Eventually he told Sambo's wife
that he wanted to quit.
"And I intend to report this matter
to my superiors."
Before he died, Yosua seemed to
have a premonition
and told his mother a week beforehand.
Every day, he would ask her,
"Mom, have you read your Bible?
Just place your hand on it."
Whenever she placed her hand on it,
the page would open to the Book of Joshua.
It was as if he had a premonition
and was sending a message,
given that in the biblical narrative,
Joshua dies.
Then Sister Rosti told me,
"You know, Yosua wasn't just a good son.
He actually wanted to serve God.
He wanted to become a pastor."
Yet the story regarding Yosua's plan
to expose the illegal practices
behind his murder
was never fully explored.
Are there any names you might recognize?
Public officials or the like?
We would need to verify this.
It's the same source, right?
Generally speaking,
this data is intriguing.
If we weren't journalists,
just people looking at this document,
the name "Ferdy" would immediately
make us think of FS.
However, in the world of journalism,
we need to prove
that the "Ferdy" mentioned here
is indeed FS.
That document was certainly tempting
to investigate further.
Unfortunately,
even after meeting various people
and double-checking and triple-checking...
We had to adhere
to the journalistic code of ethics,
which requires establishing a link between
this online gambling operation and Sambo.
Ultimately,
we couldn't find that connection.
All we got were stories...
- Just stories.
- But to verify them...
The stories corroborated one another.
- But t's not from a primary source.
- As journalists, we need solid evidence
even though we aren't investigators.
The online gambling operation exists.
We know there are people behind it.
Beyond Sambo and the emergence
of this online gambling thing,
we began to sense
the presence of an even greater,
more powerful force.
The Sambo case should have been
a gateway to uncovering
destruction of justice, organized crime,
and abuse of power.
There were numerous conflicts of interest
that could have opened the door
to something bigger.
But after that,
there was never any follow up.
Allegations that this task force
was involved in drugs
or online gambling
are completely unfounded.
We actually combatted those things.
- That is for us to judge.
- Thank you.
But I must state this in court.
It is understandable
that people might perceive
the Red and White Task Force
were raising funds
for political purposes or the like.
However, we must stick to the facts.
And as someone directly involved,
I know exactly what the task force did.
I believe this needs to be clarified
for the public,
addressing the rumors that Sambo
was receiving financial backing
from those sources.
If such funding did exist,
I was unaware of it.
In my view, for certain reasons,
they chose not to be transparent.
The National Police Chief,
General Listyo Sigit,
disbanded the special task force
after its head, Ferdy Sambo, became
implicated in a premeditated murder case.
FEBRUARY 13TH, 2023
READING OF THE VERDICJUDGE
DON'T LET YOUR SHIELD BE BLUNTED
GOD KNOWS
PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO SHAME
Mr. Sambo!
People are asking about the death penalty.
Mr. Sambo, what would you like to say
to the public?
Mr. Sambo. A comment, sir.
The atmosphere at that trial
was unlike anything
ever seen before in Indonesia.
So many people came from out of town,
eager to witness the proceedings.
Thousands of people.
Moving about,
or even just getting inside was difficult.
All there to show their support
through their presence.
Sister Rosti brought a photo of Yosua.
That sent a message,
"I am here for Yosua."
Ordered and adjudged...
Finds the defendant,
Ferdy Sambo, LL.B, B.PS, LL.M,
legally and convincingly guilty
of committing the criminal offense
of complicity in premeditated murder.
Sentences the defendant to...
the death penalty.
Orders the defendant to remain in custody.
Rules that the evidence
attached to the case file
shall be returned
to the public prosecutor to be used in...
It was as if Indonesia won the World Cup.
People were cheering,
and it actually marked
a historic first
for the Republic of Indonesia.
A two-star police general
being sentenced to death.
Sentences the defendant,
Putri Candrawathi,
to a term of imprisonment of...
20 years. Orders...
This is Yosua, the one you killed.
My son's screams. Putri!
Mrs. Rosti
hugged me many times...
saying,
"You are...
the cornerstone of our family.
Never forget us.
We are grateful."
This is the fulfillment of
our family's hopes and our prayers to God.
God revealed His miracles and wonders
through the hands of...
I finally saw them obtain
the justice they had sought.
It was a journey that began with tears
and ended with tears.
When he was first buried,
there was no police involvement,
no honors.
The family had hoped
for a burial with police honors.
Since Yosua was not a criminal offender,
he was entitled to receive
such respect from the force.
Ultimately, Yosua was laid to rest
with the dignity he deserved.
We viewed this
as a restoration of honor for a family
whose loved one
had initially been branded a rapist.
In that moment, we could see
a glimmer of joy for the family.
That...
That was a truly extraordinary
achievement.
Because the family had succeeded
in realizing their dream.
I wept openly
because the family's wish
had been fulfilled...
That is why, regarding the Yosua case,
and the pursuit of justice in Indonesia,
I believe justice is not merely
something to be fought for.
It must be seized.
That was our struggle at the time,
a fight to seize justice.
From whom? From the wicked individuals
who initially claimed to be victims,
when in fact
they were the true perpetrators.
The Yosua incident
served as an eye-opener,
revealing that
such things had been
happening frequently and for a long time.
Yet this particular case
crossed all boundaries
as the full weight of power
was mobilized to cover it up.
Ultimately, Yosua's death was not in vain
because it fueled the determination
to bring the truth to light.
THE SUPREME COURT, BY A 3-TO-2 DECISION,
COMMUTED FERDY SAMBO'S DEATH SENTENCE
TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT IN AUGUST 2023.
UNDER THE NEW CRIMINAL CODE
WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY 2026,
A LIFE SENTENCE CAN BE CONVERTED
TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON
AFTER THE CONVICT HAS SERVED
AT LEAST 15 YEARS IN DETENTION.
THE SUPREME COURT ALSO REDUCED
PUTRI CANDRAWATHI'S PRISON SENTENCE
TO 10 YEARS.
I appreciate the Supreme Court's decision
to reduce the death sentence
to life imprisonment.
But that doesn't make me tolerate
what Sambo did to Yosua Hutabarat.
Many people were happy
when Sambo was punished.
When his sentence was reduced,
many people were disappointed.
But even now people are still saying
Sambo isn't in prison,
that he's traveling because he has money.
He's held at the correctional facility
in Cibinong.
But is he actually there?
Who knows? But I don't want
to discuss that, it's a sensitive matter.
This was a major case,
but unfortunately we've received info
that the people who were
supposedly punished have been reinstated.
It's quite a shock.
Turns out the punishments
were just lip service in the end.
This is perhaps the darkest scandal
in the history of the Indonesian Police,
and it shows the culmination of...
how corrupt the institutional system is.
Ultimately, even the good people
in the police force will become
part of that dirty system.
I... Frankly, sometimes I'm frustrated.
I actually want to give up.
Some people tell me to be realistic.
"Usman, you must have
a family and children."
It's impossible to just live
and ignore the risks.
So...