The general chairman of the Indonesian Citizen Journalists Association (PPWI), Wilson Lalengke, S.Pd, M.Sc, MA is very concerned and regrets the behavior of unscrupulous police officers at various police stations in this country. One of them is the Kasatreskrim Polres Merangin, Jambi, with the initials IDS with the rank of Adjunct Commissioner of Police (AKP).

“There are strong indications that the police are using their authority arbitrarily. He is currently detaining journalists from Global Investigation News (GIN) on behalf of Ahmad Taufik and Sumiran for reports of alleged criminal acts that lack evidence," said the national press figure when he received a report from the Chief Editor of GIN regarding the detention of his journalist, Monday. February 14, 2022.

When asked about the reason for the detention which seemed forced on the two journalists, Lalengke said that there were strong indications that the detention was related to the news. As a result of the news in the GIN media, payments to unscrupulous officials, both at the Merangin Police and other local authorities from illegal mining entrepreneurs, stopped.

"I strongly suspect that this is related to the news in the Global Investigation News media about illegal mining activities in the Merangin area which are indicated to be backed up by elements at the Resort Police, Kodim, and other local authorities. As a result of the news, regular deposits from unlicensed mining entrepreneurs (PETI) have stalled or have stopped. Now, when there are residents who make LPs for these journalists, the opportunity is not wasted by these elements to silence journalists Ahmad Taufik and Sumiran by detaining the case of loose change that is not supported by strong evidence, "explained the PPRA-48 alumnus of Lemhannas RI in 2012 to hundreds of media affiliated to PPWI while sending a link to the news on the illegal mining case [1].

This arbitrary action by police officers, Lalengke asserted, is not only a violation of the Police Professional Code of Ethics (KEPP) but is also a criminal matter. "Yes, it's very clear, detaining people without being supported by strong evidence for alleged criminal acts as a violation, not only a violation of KEPP but can also enter the realm of crime, even violating human rights," said the PPWI Ketum who is known to be keen on defending these oppressed citizens.

For this reason, Lalengke hopes that the National Police Leaders at the central level evaluate the performance of the Merangin Police as a whole. Likewise, other agencies such as TNI Headquarters are required to carry out monitoring and evaluation (monev) on the performance of their officers in the area.

“I hope that the Jambi Regional Police Chief and the National Police Chief will immediately evaluate the performance of their subordinates at the Merangin Police, including examining the former Chief of Police and the new Chief of Police there. Likewise, the Sriwijaya Military Commander and the TNI Commander, to immediately evaluate the apparatus at the regional Kodim. Information received by the editors shows that Kasdim is involved in PETI activities by providing a dompeng machine that is used by miners to mine illegally," added Lalengke.

It is known that two journalists from the Global Investigation News Bureau of the Merangin Regency have been detained by the Merangin Police on behalf of Ahmad Taufik and Sumiran, since Monday night, February 14, 2022. They were detained on a report from a resident of Merangin, a mother with the initials RH, who accused them of committing criminal offenses as stipulated in the law. in articles 372 and 378 of the Criminal Code, with very weak evidence.

The story begins when RH asked Amrizal, a former GIN journalist, to help seek a suspension of detention for her husband who was arrested because of Article 480 of the Indonesian Criminal Code regarding the collection of stolen goods. Amrizal and RH then entered into a cooperation agreement with operating costs of Rp. 43 million. In the next process, Amrizal invited Ahmad Taufik and Sumiran, fellow journalists at the GIN media, to help him lobby the Merangin Police.

Long story short, the attempt to hold the detention of RH's husband failed even though he was assisted by a lawyer appointed by the Merangin Police investigator. Finally, the legal process against RH's husband went to court and he was sentenced to 1 year in prison.

Due to the failure of Amrizal and his friends, RH asked for the return of all operational funds given to them in the amount of Rp. 43 million [2]. Of course, if they are to be returned, they cannot return the operational funds in full because some of it has been used to pay for their lawyers and operations. Unfortunately, RH persisted in asking for the funds to be returned in full, which because it could not be fulfilled, he went to the police to make an LP on charges of embezzlement and fraud by the reported Amrizal and his friends.

Odd bin miraculous, only Ahmad Taufik and Sumiran were made suspects and are now being detained. Meanwhile, Amrizal as the maker of the agreement with RH and receiving operational funds was not a suspect in this case. Also, the lawyer appointed by the Merangin Police investigator was not prosecuted even though he was involved in the matter.

Based on this anomaly, the public should strongly suspect that this police report from RH was well used as a golden opportunity by individuals at the Merangin Police to avenge their savagery against GIN media friends because these friends often reveal and report on the PETI case which is indicated to be strongly affiliated. with individuals Kasatreskrim Merangin Police. The criminalization process was carried out so that the two journalists could be imprisoned.

When confirmed to the Merangin Police Chief, AKBP Dewa Ngakan Nyoman Arinata, and the former Merangin Police Chief, AKBP Irwan Andy Purnamawan, S.I.K, regarding this case, the two officials did not give any response until this news went up. WhatsApp messages were not answered, voice notes were not responded to, telephones also did not get a response like a good official in serving the people.

Likewise, when the editor contacted the Kasatreskrim AKP Indar Dwi Septian, his two contact numbers were inactive.