Life Sentence Sought for Indonesian Navy Officer Accused of Killing Journalist Girlfriend

TEMPO.CO, Banjarbaru - Lieutenant Colonel Sunandi, prosecutor at Military Prosecutor's Office III-15, demanded a life sentence for Navy Soldier Jumran, Petty Officer One stationed at Naval Base Balikpapan. Jumran is accused of the planned murder of Juwita, a journalist and his girlfriend.

Sunandi explained that the demand aligns with the primary charge under Article 340 of the Criminal Code concerning planned murder.

"We ask the Military Court I-06 in Banjarmasin to declare the defendant guilty of committing a criminal act of planned murder as stipulated and threatened in Article 340 of the Criminal Code. We request that the defendant Jumran be sentenced to life imprisonment and additionally dismissed from military service in the Navy," said Lieutenant Colonel Sunandi while reading the indictment at Military Court I-06 Banjarmasin in Banjarbaru on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

According to Sunandi, the criminal charge is based on the fact that the primary indictment has been proven legally and convincingly according to the charge sheet. The defendant has no justifying reason or excuse for his actions.

Sunandi also stated that Jumran’s act was against the military oath, damaged the Navy’s reputation publicly, and resulted in the loss of Juwita’s life. He emphasized that there were no mitigating circumstances.

Regarding Jumran’s motive, it was because he refused to marry Juwita, despite pressure from her family.

The panel chair, Lieutenant Colonel (Judge Advocate) Arie Fitriansyah, allowed Jumran to consult his legal counsel for a plea or defense. After a brief consultation, Jumran is scheduled to present his plea on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

The victim’s family legal representative, Muhamad Pazri, expressed disappointment with the life sentence demand. He argued that Jumran deserves the death penalty for planned murder, especially as a Navy soldier.

"Very disappointed. If an ordinary person commits planned murder, they are sentenced to death. Let alone Jumran, a public servant who should face stricter punishment. The demand should be the death penalty," said Pazri.

He expressed hope that the panel of judges would ultimately hand down a death sentence. Pazri also criticized the Military Prosecutor’s Office for failing to seek compensation for the victim’s family.

"This decision doesn’t align with the recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. It focuses solely on punishment," he added.

Juwita’s body was found lying by the roadside in the Gunung Kupang area, Cempaka District, Banjarbaru City on Saturday afternoon, March 22, 2025. Her wallet and phone were missing, but her motorcycle remained at the scene.

Initially, Juwita’s death was suspected to be from a single accident, but several injuries raised suspicions.

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