Jakarta police officials have denied allegations of evidence tampering after a viral video appeared to show investigators using scrap paper for witness statements, a controversy that has reignited debates about institutional transparency in Indonesia's criminal justice system.
Polda Metro Jaya spokesperson Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto addressed the controversy at a press conference Tuesday, explaining that investigators at Polsek Cilandak used scrap paper during an interrogation as a draft document before transferring the statement to official forms.
"The investigator prepared the interrogation report on scrap paper for corrections," Hermanto said, according to Elshinta News. "If there were corrections needed, they could be crossed out, then transferred to prepared paper. This was agreed to by the reported party."
The explanation centers on footage showing what appeared to be a double-sided document, with one side containing information about a narcotics case and the reverse side used for an assault case statement. The incident went viral on social media, prompting accusations that police were fabricating or altering case files.
Authorities displayed the document in question, emphasizing that no official statement had been printed on both sides. Budi Hermanto stressed that the assault case and narcotics case were entirely separate matters, and the use of scrap paper was merely a procedural irregularity rather than evidence manipulation.
Despite the denial of tampering, police confirmed that disciplinary action had been taken against the investigators involved. The Professional and Security Division (Bid Propam) of Polda Metro Jaya conducted an examination of the investigators, including the unit chief, and issued disciplinary sanctions for the improper use of scrap paper.
Jakarta Police Chief Irjen Pol Asep Edi Suheri subsequently issued a directive to all investigation directors, criminal investigation heads, and precinct chiefs emphasizing that adequate budget allocations exist for proper documentation materials, making the use of scrap paper unnecessary and inappropriate.
The incident has drawn attention from civil society organizations focused on police reform. While authorities characterize the matter as a "misunderstanding," critics note that the optics of using documentation from one case as scrap paper for another undermines public confidence in evidence handling protocols.
In Indonesia, as across archipelagic democracies, unity in diversity requires constant negotiation across islands, ethnicities, and beliefs—and that includes maintaining institutional trust through transparent procedures that can withstand public scrutiny.
Police reform has been a continuing challenge for Indonesia since the democratic transition began in 1998. While significant progress has been made in separating the police from military control and establishing civilian oversight mechanisms, incidents like this highlight persistent concerns about professional standards and accountability.
The National Police have implemented various reforms in recent years, including enhanced training programs and stricter evidence-handling protocols. However, implementation at the precinct level remains uneven, particularly in high-volume urban jurisdictions like Jakarta where caseloads can strain resources.
Legal observers note that the swift disciplinary action—while addressing the procedural violation—leaves unanswered questions about supervision and quality control in evidence preparation. The incident serves as a reminder that democratic policing requires not just formal procedures but consistent application and effective oversight.
