Jakarta Police official sacked over extortion of Malaysian at DWP concert

SHAH ALAM - The Metro Jaya Regional Police in Indonesia has terminated Narcotics Chief Donald Parlaungan Simanjuntak following allegations of extortion involving a Malaysian citizen.

According to Kompas, Donald was dishonourably discharged after the incident, which occurred during the Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) electronic music concert at JIExpo in Central Jakarta on Dec 15.

The dismissal was announced by Muhammad Choirul Anam, a representative of the National Police Commission.

"The decision of the hearing determined a 'dishonourable discharge' for the director (chief) of the narcotics division as well as the head of his unit," he reportedly said.

The sanction followed a hearing on Dec 31 regarding violations of the Police Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (KEPP).

After the incident was reported, Donald was reassigned as a policy analyst for community guidance under the National Security Maintenance Agency (Baharkam Polri).

It is reported that the former narcotics chief is currently appealing the decision.

Last Saturday, Indonesian police detained 18 of their officers for allegedly extorting a Malaysian citizen or citizens during the three-day DWP concert in Kemayoran, North Jakarta.

The arrests followed several complaints from Malaysian citizens, who claimed they were mistreated and extorted throughout the event, with the allegations going viral on social media.

The case is now being closely monitored by external bodies, including the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), to ensure transparency and fairness in the investigation.

Previously, viral posts have accused Indonesian police of targeting attendees during the event, sparking widespread comments from netizens.

One of them comes from X account @Twt_Rave, which posted allegations claiming that several police officers extorted Malaysian attendees at DWP.

The account claimed that more than 400 Malaysians were victims of extortion by Indonesian police.

It also claimed that the money collected from the extortion amounted to RM9 million.

The DWP, cited as Indonesia's largest electronic music festival, took place from Dec 13-15, last year.

Organisers of the event Ismaya Group had said the three-day festival was attended by 10,000 people from 52 countries.