Police Address the Arrest of Laman Kinipan Indigenous Community Chief

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Kalimantan Police spokesperson, Sr. Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan, denied that the arrest on Laman Kinipan indigenous community chief, Effendi Buhing, had violated police procedures and claimed his officers in the field making the arrest had worked professionally.

“It is not true that the police had acted outside normal procedures. We remained professional and provided the right to answer to all parties involved because everyone is equal before the law,” Hendra wrote in his statement to Tempo on Thursday, August 27. 

He explained that police are currently questioning the community chief but claimed Effendi Buhing was not being cooperative with investigators. The police spokesperson also called for people to be mindful of the comments made against the police arrest. 

“Please thoughtful in perceiving social media posts, especially on an ongoing case,” said Hendra referring to the reaction shown by the public that is reflected in multiple social media platforms. Many have voiced out by alleging police for acting repressive in the  Laman Kinipan indigenous community chief arrest. 

The executive director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) Central Kalimantan chapter, Dimas N. Hartono, claimed the arrest against the community chief was done without summoning witnesses first. Through numerous videos spread across social media, dozens of armed policemen forcefully arrested Effendi Buhing from his home. The video continued to show three policemen dragging him into a black unmarked police vehicle.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI