Disclaimer: This article is an editorial that highlights the problems in Indonesia today
PIKIRAN RAKYAT - The officers of the Kebonwaru Class 1 State Detention Centre (Rutan) in Bandung have successfully prevented the illicit smuggling of firearms, which were discovered concealed within a suitcase. The suitcase had been brought to the facility by the attorney of former West Bandung Regent Arsan Latif.

On Monday evening, July, 15th, at 9.30 pm local time, the lawyer of the former West Bandung Regent, Arsan Latif, arrived at the facility with a suitcase containing clothes and other personal items.

As standard procedure, the luggage was checked, and a firearm was discovered upon further inspection. Suparman, the head of Class I Bandung Detention Centre, conveyed this information.

Besides the firearm, the officer found several suspicious things in the luggage. They are a smartphone and five bullets.

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"There was a firearm, then five bullets, then a mobile phone. It's a short barrel," he said.

The Bandung Police have confirmed that a firearm belonging to Arsan Latif was secured when he was about to serve his detention period after being named a suspect in the Cigasong Market corruption case in Majalengka.

According to the Public Relations Section of Bandung Police, AKP Nurindah, who was met in Bandung on Wednesday, 17 July 2024, the weapon has been secured following the handover from the detention center.

Nurindah indicated that the investigation had revealed that the firearm was in proper legal possession and was owned by Arsan Latif.

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From the investigation results, the person concerned often carries the weapon. “His ownership is legal, with the necessary documentation in place,” she said.

She explained that, at present, the firearms have been placed in the care of the Bandung Police armory under the Chief of Police Regulation.

‘At this time, the weapon is in the armory. Based on the National Police Chief Regulation, any litigant with a weapon must be secured by the police,’ she concluded.***(Politeknik Negeri Bandung/Ahyaithannisa Taufik)