Jakarta - Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali confirmed that the murder case in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, where the perpetrator is suspected to be a Navy soldier with the rank of seaman, will be investigated transparently.
Admiral Ali, when met after an event at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, said that the Indonesian Navy soldier, if proven guilty, would be punished severely.
"The main thing is that the legal process is transparent, and punished severely. Yes (the severe punishment, ed.) will be determined by the court," said Admiral Ali in response to journalists' questions.
On a separate occasion, the Commander of the Military Police Detachment (Dandenpom) of the Balikpapan Navy Base (Lanal) Major PM Ronald Ganap explained that the TNI AL soldier suspected of killing a female journalist was Classmate J. He had served as a soldier for approximately 4 years. At Lanal Balikpapan, Classmate J had served for approximately a month.
Major Ronald said that Class One J is currently being detained and questioned at the Balikpapan Naval Base Military Police Detachment.
"In accordance with the direction of the TNI AL leadership, the legal process will be conveyed openly as a form of transparency in revealing cases involving members. Nothing is covered up," said Dandenpom Lanal Balikpapan during a press conference at his office, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Wednesday (26/3).
The murder victim was a 23-year-old female journalist, who was on duty reporting in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan. The victim was allegedly murdered on March 22, 2025.