Jakarta – “Enough is enough,” declared Wilson Lalengke, an alumnus of PPRA-48 Lemhannas RI (National Resilience Institute of Indonesia), in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Lalengke, who is also the Chairman of the Indonesian Citizen Journalists Association (PPWI), called on President Prabowo Subianto to take immediate action by dismissing National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo and Metro Jaya Police Chief Karyoto over the involvement of some police officers in the extortion scandal concerning attendees of the Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP).
“Enough is enough. We cannot allow the reputation of this nation to be further tarnished by the criminals within its police force,” Lalengke said, expressing his frustration over the ongoing scandal that has attracted widespread international attention. “These two high-ranking officers must be held accountable for the criminal acts committed by their subordinates. If they fail to act decisively, they must face the consequences.”
*A Crime Between Nations*
According to Lalengke, the DWP extortion case is not just a matter of domestic criminal action but represents a crime between nations. The victims, who are foreign citizens, are unlikely to view the perpetrators as individual officers but will instead label them as criminals from Indonesia. This is not only a disgrace for the police force but a national embarrassment.
“The foreign victims of this extortion will not distinguish between the individual officers involved; they will see them as 'Indonesians' who have committed crimes against them. This is incredibly embarrassing. The actions of these officers have stained the image of our nation on the international stage,” Lalengke continued. “The face of Indonesia is being tarnished by the immoral and corrupt behaviour of its police officers. It is as if the nation is covered in shame.”
Wilson Lalengke, a postgraduate graduate in Global Ethics from Birmingham University, England, emphasized the serious diplomatic repercussions of the case. He pointed out that such incidents not only damage the credibility of the Indonesian police but also harm the nation's international relations.
*Urgent Call for Accountability*
Lalengke's statement highlights the urgent need for President Prabowo to take immediate and decisive action to restore public trust in the police force. He stressed that the police leaders involved in the scandal must be held accountable for their roles in allowing or facilitating the extortion of foreign citizens.
"These individuals have brought shame upon the entire nation. It is time for the President to show leadership and dismiss the National Police Chief and the Metro Jaya Police Chief. They must be held responsible for the actions of their subordinates, and their failure to act must not go unpunished," Lalengke added.
Nevertheless, referring to the police involved as ‘brown planthoppers’—a derogatory term implying pests—Lalengke expressed his disbelief at the scale of the crime, which he described as ‘beyond reason’. The extortion extends, which affected 400 victims simultaneously, has led to a staggering financial loss of 32 billion IDR. Lalengke called the incident ‘massive’ and hard to believe.
“I find it hard to believe that these police acted on their own initiative,” Lalengke remarked. “It is likely that they were given orders by their commanders, including the National Police Chief through the Regional Police Chief. If the highest-ranking officer in the police force is involved in this scandal, we must ask: who ordered them to carry out such an outrageous act? It is utterly unreasonable to think that these police did not consider the consequences. They must have been aware that 400 victims would not stay silent, especially since all of them are foreigners, who would undoubtedly speak out when they return to their home countries.”
Lalengke stressed that regardless of the reasons behind this criminal act, the reputation of Indonesia has been severely tarnished on the international stage. He emphasized that this scandal has shone a spotlight on the abuse of power within the police force, and for this, the National Police Chief must be held accountable.
*Call for Interpol Involvement*
Wilson Lalengke further stressed the gravity of the extortion case involving foreign nationals, calling for the involvement of the International Police (Interpol) to ensure a thorough investigation. According to Lalengke, this case goes far beyond typical domestic extortion, as it involves foreign nationals being victimized by perpetrators from within Indonesia.
“This is not an ordinary case of extortion, where citizens are exploited by their own fellow citizens, which unfortunately happens too often,” Lalengke remarked. “This is a crime with international ramifications, and it must be handled as such. The involvement of Interpol is crucial to ensure that this case is properly investigated. We are dealing with 400 foreigners who have been victims of criminal acts carried out by perpetrators from another country. Given the involvement of state officials in this matter, there is a clear conflict of interest, and it is highly unlikely that the local authorities can conduct an unbiased investigation.”
Lalengke did emphasize that the seriousness of this case demands international attention, given the scale of the crime and the number of foreign nationals affected. He called on Interpol to step in and assist local authorities to ensure that justice is served.
In addition to his strong stance on the extortion case, Lalengke’s recent actions have earned him recognition on the global stage. He was recently honoured by the Russian Embassy in Jakarta for his efforts in defending Russian journalists who faced discrimination from UNESCO during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
“This case not only tarnishes Indonesia's international reputation but also highlights the need for stronger accountability and transparency in law enforcement. The police must answer for their actions, and the perpetrators must face justice, no matter where they come from,” Lalengke concluded. (APL/Red)
