Muhammad Aulia Rahman, Jakarta – A mid-ranking Indonesian police officer has been dismissed after an internal ethics tribunal found him guilty in connection with the death of a motorcycle taxi driver who was fatally run over by a police armored vehicle, an incident that triggered mass protests across the country.
The National Police Ethics Commission ruled on Wednesday that Commissioner Kosmas Kaju Gae, a commander of the Mobile Brigade's (Brimob) Regiment IV, committed a serious violation in the August 28 incident. Kosmas was in the front passenger seat of the tactical vehicle when it struck Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver, in Jakarta's Pejompongan district.
Affan, who was riding through the same street, was hit and crushed under the vehicle as police deployed armored units to disperse demonstrators outside the national parliament building. Instead of calming tensions, the fatal collision ignited protests that spread to several cities, many of which descended into violence, including looting of officials' homes and the burning of government and police buildings.
"The panel has determined that Commissioner Kosmas committed a serious violation and must be dishonorably discharged," the ethics tribunal announced at police headquarters in Jakarta.
After the ruling, Kosmas said he had only been carrying out his duties. "I was merely fulfilling my responsibilities in totality, following institutional orders and my commander's instructions," he said. He also expressed condolences to Affan's family, calling the incident "completely unforeseen."
Kosmas added that he only learned of Affan's death after videos of the incident circulated online. He has not yet decided whether to appeal his dismissal.
The vehicle's driver, Chief Brigadier Rohmat, also faces charges of serious misconduct and awaits a separate ethics hearing. Five other officers seated in the rear of the vehicle have been charged with lesser disciplinary violations.
In addition to the internal proceedings, all seven officers may face criminal prosecution in civilian courts.