MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Legal Aid Institute of Medan (LBH Medan) has strongly criticized the performance of the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut). The criticism centers on the handling of an alleged embezzlement case reported by a woman named Arjoni. LBH Medan accuses investigators of slow and unclear law enforcement, as well as a lack of professionalism and procedural compliance.
The case, which has been ongoing since 2021, has yet to reach a clear legal resolution despite multiple stages of investigation having been carried out. This situation has drawn sharp criticism from LBH Medan, which suspects ethical and procedural violations in the handling of the case by investigators from Ditreskrimum Polda Sumut.
Case Remains Unresolved for Four Years
The case originated from a police report dated May 21, 2021, under report number LP/B/909/V/2021/SPKT/POLDA SUMUT, which was re-registered in the system on May 31, 2021. The report concerns alleged embezzlement under Article 372 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), in conjunction with Article 486 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the new Criminal Code.
Arjoni, a 43-year-old mother of two, claims to be a victim of the embezzlement of a 2011 Toyota Avanza with license plate BK 1264 VQ. She also alleges that additional rights were violated by her former husband, Heri Rahman, who serves as Head of Administration at RSUD Tengku Mansyur in Tanjung Balai.
REPORT FILED TO OVERSIGHT BODIES: LBH Medan Director Irvan Saputra provides a press statement regarding reports of alleged unprofessional conduct by investigators from the Ditreskrimum Polda Sumut submitted to supervisory institutions. (PHOTO: Doc. LBH Medan)
Allegations of "Undue Delay" in Legal Process
LBH Medan Director Irvan Saputra, S.H., M.H., stated that the case has been left unresolved for an unreasonably long period without legal certainty. He described the situation as an "undue delay" that has caused both legal and psychological harm to the victim.
"The prolonged handling of the case by Ditreskrimum Polda Sumut (undue delay), the absence of detention of the suspect, and the lack of legal certainty are contrary to the Police Law and the police code of ethics regarding professionalism, procedural compliance, and proportionality," Irvan said on Monday, June 29, 2026.
Suspect Named but No Detention Executed
In the course of the investigation, Heri Rahman was officially named a suspect on January 8, 2025. A pretrial motion (praperadilan) filed by the defense was rejected by the Medan District Court under ruling No. 20/Pid.Pra/2025/PN Mdn.
Despite these developments, LBH Medan criticized the fact that the suspect has not been detained. In addition, the case file has reportedly not yet been declared complete (P21) and submitted to the public prosecutor, although the victim's side claims that all investigative instructions have been fulfilled.
Irvan also stated that all required evidence has been submitted, including witness statements, documentary evidence, and testimony from two experts in criminal law and Islamic law.
LBH Medan Files Complaints With Oversight Institutions
LBH Medan has officially reported the case to several oversight bodies, including Kompolnas, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, KPAI, the Internal Affairs Division (Karo Wassidik), and the National Police's internal ethics division (Divisi Propam Mabes Polri). The reports were submitted on June 23–24, 2026.
CASE DOCUMENTS AND FILES: Police reports and case files illustrating the ongoing legal process in the alleged embezzlement case that has been underway since 2021. (PHOTO: Doc. LBH Medan)
Allegations Against Investigating Officers
LBH Medan also named several officers from Ditreskrimum Polda Sumut, including Director Kombes Pol. Ricko Taruna Mauruh, S.E., M.M., as well as investigators from the Jatanras unit and Sub-Directorate III.
Irvan emphasized that the alleged actions may violate not only internal police regulations but also fundamental human rights principles.
"LBH Medan believes that the officers concerned failed to carry out their duties professionally, proportionally, and in accordance with procedures, in violation of Police Regulation No. 7 of 2022 and Police Law No. 2 of 2002," Irvan stated.
He further noted that the actions may also conflict with Article 28D paragraph (1) of the Indonesian Constitution and Article 17 of Human Rights Law No. 39 of 1999.
Calls for Strict Oversight and Law Enforcement Action
LBH Medan is urging the national police leadership, including the Chief of Police, the Criminal Investigation Department (Kabareskrim), and the Internal Supervision Division (Kadiv Propam), to conduct a comprehensive investigation and impose disciplinary measures if necessary.
The organization also demands the immediate completion of the investigation file and its submission to the prosecutor's office for a P21 determination without further delay. It further calls for the immediate detention of suspect Heri Rahman.
In addition, Kompolnas, Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, and the Ombudsman RI are urged to closely monitor and evaluate the handling of the case.
LBH Medan stressed that only transparent and fair legal processes can ensure that victims, particularly women, receive proper access to justice. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala