Kombes Fahrurozi Placed in Special Assignment as Rp58.5 Billion Gold Investment Case Exposes Gaps in Internal Police Oversight

Kombes Fahrurozi, Head of Sub-Directorate I at the Directorate of Narcotics Crime of the Indonesian National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), is now undergoing a special placement (Patsus) ordered by the National Police Headquarters' Provost Corps (Propam). The placement follows a report of alleged fraud and embezzlement of gold mining investment funds worth Rp58.5 billion filed by a Malaysian citizen identified by the initial S.

The Head of the Public Information Bureau of the National Police's Public Relations Division, Brig. Gen. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, said that during the Patsus period, Fahrurozi is also being questioned over alleged violations of the code of ethics. According to him, the move is part of the internal oversight mechanism for members suspected of violating regulations. "There is no impunity for National Police members proven to have committed violations," Trunoyudo said in a written statement on Friday (25/9).

In addition to the ethics examination, Fahrurozi is scheduled to be questioned as a witness by the Directorate of General Crime of Bareskrim Polri on Friday at 10.00 WIB. Investigators are looking into the report registered under number LP/B/379/VIII/2026/SPKT/BARESKRIM POLRI. A series of steps have been taken, including questioning a number of witnesses, reviewing documents, and inspecting the crime scene in North Sulawesi.

The complainant's lawyer, Bagas Pangestu Pribadi of Negeri Sembilan Law Firm, appreciated the National Police's move but stressed that the criminal process and the internal examination must not substitute for each other. "Our client's funds of Rp58.5 billion will not be returned through the ethics channel. We hope the criminal process continues to completion," Bagas said.

He also highlighted the broader implications: the case is not merely a dispute between two individuals, but a test of legal certainty for foreign capital entering Indonesia. "Investors are not asking for a guarantee of winning. What they calculate is whether clear legal stages are available and can be followed when problems arise," he added.

The case came to light after the mining legality promised to be completed within two to three months failed to materialize. The victim began to suspect that the mining activity serving as the investment object was allegedly unlicensed mining (PETI). To date, investigators have not named a suspect and are still gathering evidence to determine whether a criminal act occurred.

Police observers assess that the handling of this case will be a barometer of the National Police's internal transparency. If the ethics and criminal processes do not run in parallel, public trust in the institution could erode. On the other hand, the business community is waiting for certainty that law enforcement is not selective, especially when it involves members of the corps itself.

Going forward, the public will watch whether the ethics examination of Fahrurozi produces a recommendation for proportionate sanctions, as well as whether Bareskrim investigators can uncover the flow of funds and other actors behind this gold mining investment scheme. Without a thorough resolution, the case could set a bad precedent for the investment climate and the National Police's internal reform.