Andi Arief and 8 Politicians Convicted of Drug Crimes

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Democrat Party politician Andi Arief caught the public’s attention after he was arrested for alleged consumption of crystal meth on Sunday, March 3, at the Hotel Peninsula in Jakarta.  

Upon his arrest, he also reportedly attempted to get rid of evidence by flushing several incriminating items into the toilet. Police say that Andi was arrested for consuming meth with no leads suggesting him acting as a drug dealer.

Read also: Campaign Team on Andi Arief: Jokowi Serious about Combating Drugs

This is not the only case where a politician was arrested by police for drug crimes.

The following are 8 other Indonesian politicians that share the same fate as Andi Arief.

-Gerindra Politician Indra J. Piliang

Piliang was arrested by police on September 2017 together with two of his friends at the Room Oval Diamond Karaoke bar located in West Jakarta.

According to police reports, Indra and two of his friends; Romi and Ismail, were caught for consuming one gram of crystal meth. Indra claims that he had only consumed the drug for a year prior to his arrest.

-Golkar Party Politician I Nyoman Wirama Putra

This Golkar Party politician – and former Tabanan Bali Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) was arrested by the Jakarta Metro Police at a hotel on June 2017. Police managed to nab him following a police operation on a drug dealer who provided I Nyoman with the amphetamine he consumed.

-NasDem Politician Nizar Romae and Darma Wijaya

Former Bandar Lampung DPRD Nizar Romae was arrested by the Lampung Police while he was undergoing rehabilitation. Prior to this, he was caught for stealing insulin from the Abdul Moeloek hospital (RSAM) on July 2016.

Meanwhile, former regional executive board (DPW) secretary for NasDem Darma Wijaya was also caught for drug consumption and was also a rehab patient at the time of his arrest.

-Ogan Ilir Regent Ahmad Wazir Noviadi Mawardi

The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) arrested the regent at his house on March of 2016 after being tested positive for drug consumption. He was already targeted by BNN investigators three months prior to his arrest.

-PAN Politician M Hafiz

The former Batanghari PAN regional representative council (DPD) member was sentenced guilty on drug charges and was jailed on March 2018. The Police investigation suggests Hafiz had been a long time drug abuser since 2009.

-Bali DPRD Deputy Jero Gede Komang

Police named Jero on charges of drug distribution and had violated the emergency law on drugs in 2017. He went on the run prior to his arrest.

-NasDem Politician Ibrahim ‘Hongkong’ Hasan

This politician from NasDem party was arrested by the BNN for possession of 150 grams of crystal meth on August of 2018. He was arrested while campaigning at his electoral district and was not provided with legal assistance by NasDem prior to being fired from the party.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | VARIOUS SOURCES