REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- Investigator of the West Java Regional Police Criminal Investigation Directorate has appointed Habib Bahar bin Smith (HBS) as a suspect in the case of alleged abuse of minors. He were immediately arrested after being examined and determined as a suspect.
"He was arrested for the investigation process by the National Police investigators," said spokesperson of West Java Police, Commissioner Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko to Republika.co.id, on Wednesday (Dec 19), adding that the police are guided by the Criminal Code.
According to Trunoyudo, the investigation of Bahar's case was carried out by police investigators in a professional manner and in accordance with the standard operating procedure. He asserted that the allegations that the case as a criminalization of the ulama was not true.
"We handle it professionally and proportionally. So it is not true that this is the criminalization of ulama," he said.
The alleged abuse case of Habib Bahar occurred on Saturday (Dec 1). The incident occurred at Tajul Alawiyyin Islamic Boarding School in Pabuaran, Kemang District, Bogor Regency, West Java.
The two underage children suspected of being victims of Habib Bahar alleged abuse were MHU (17 y.o) and ABJ (18 y.o). The case was reported to the Bogor police station on Wednesday (Dec 5) with a police report number LP / B / 1125 / XI / I / 2018 / JBR. After an examination by West Java Regional Police investigator, HBS was named as a suspect and immediately detained.
President Joko Widodo said this case should not be interpreted as an government's attempt to criminalize the ulama.
"This legal case should not be interpreted as the criminalization of ulama," Jokowi said, addressing the Bangkalan Madura Ulama Grand Declaration on Wednesday (19/12).
He also pointed out that when there were cases of beatings, the matter would be handed over to the police. Jokowi himself stressed that he would not intervene in the ongoing legal process.
"For example, if someone beats people, the police is responsible for the case, not with me," he said.