Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – A government official from a ministry in Palembang, identified by the initials MG (40), has been arrested by the South Sumatra Regional Police’s Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum Polda Sumsel) for the illegal possession of four firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The arrest took place on July 10, 2024, in the Kalidoni area, not far from the suspect’s residence.
“We initially received information from the public about MG’s possession of firearms, who resides in Kalidoni, during the Musi Firearms Operation,” said the Director of Ditreskrimum Polda Sumsel, Police Commissioner M Anwar Reksowidjojo, on Monday (July 15, 2024).
After investigation by Unit III Jatantas Ditreskrimum Polda Sumsel, four firearms, both short-barreled and long-barreled, along with 327 rounds of live ammunition, were found at MG’s residence. “The suspect was quite cooperative and showed us where he stored the firearms in his house,” Anwar added.
The confiscated evidence includes:
- One long-barreled firearm with a brown wooden handle, 120 cm in length
- One long-barreled firearm with a brown wooden handle, 100 cm in length
- One short-barreled Glock 32 caliber firearm, black, 16 cm in length
- One silver chrome pistol with a wooden handle, 11 cm in length
Anwar mentioned that MG admitted to purchasing the firearms from an individual identified as RO, who is currently on the wanted list (DPO), for approximately IDR 20 million.
“We are still investigating whether these firearms were ever used for criminal activities and what the suspect intended to use them for. We are also looking into whether he was involved in selling them,” said Anwar.
Although the suspect is a member of the Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin), the seized firearms did not have ownership permits. “He is also a member of Perbakin but only has a permit for airsoft guns; these firearms are illegal,” Anwar clarified.
The suspect is charged under Article 1, Paragraph (1) of Emergency Law No. 12 of 1951, with a potential sentence of over 20 years in prison.