BNN Chief Bans Officers from Arresting Drug Users, Including Celebrities

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of the Republic of Indonesia, Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom, has forbidden his members from arresting drug users. "As the Head of BNN, I forbid members and the ranks from arresting users, including celebrities," he said while giving a public lecture to thousands of students at the Widya Sabha University of Udayana Auditorium in Bali, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

According to Hukom, based on the prevailing regulations, drug users cannot be criminalized, but should be rehabilitated. In Indonesia, there are at least 1,496 IPWL (Institutions for Mandatory Reporting Recipients) that can be contacted or visited by drug users for rehabilitation programs without criminal proceedings.

"If law enforcement officers suddenly try to process it, then they will face the law itself. It's regulated, mandatory reports are received and then rehabilitated without legal proceedings," he said.

When asked whether such actions could trigger widespread drug use in society, Hukom said that the view of drug users is different from drug dealers.

Hukom stated that drug users are victims. He explained that due to this, the approach used is rehabilitation, not punishment. "It means they are in a position of dependency. If we take them to prison, we are punishing them for the second time. We are making them victims for the second time. Therefore, a rehabilitation approach should be used. Many have been successfully rehabilitated," he said.

This also applies to celebrities. He viewed this in the context of human relations based on the patron-client theory. Patrons have power, including the power of narration and the ability to influence the audience. Clients, on the other hand, are in a lower position.

He sees celebrities as patrons who represent values, while clients are the majority of society. "When a celebrity is arrested and then excessively publicized, the public's perception will be divided. Some people condemn them. But what about our children who see their idol as a celebrity, then capture and interpret it based on their abilities; this becomes dangerous," he said.

Hukom stated that he is morally responsible for his decision. However, towards dealers, Hukom asked his ranks to take firm and uncompromising actions. "For dealers, we must act firmly, bring them to court. There should be no compromise with anyone, even if backed up by anyone," said Hukom.

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