December 3, 2025 | 03:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian National Police confirmed that all suspects involved in looting minimarkets following the recent flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra have been released.
“Regarding reports of looting, no one is currently in detention. All have been released,” Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
The police chief acknowledged the urgent need for food supplies at the time. “We understand that people needed food during that period,” he added.
Looting occurred in several regions due to delays in the distribution of aid. In Sibolga, sixteen residents were initially arrested for taking food from minimarkets.
“Yes, there were arrests,” confirmed Chief Commissioner Siti Rohani, Head of the Public Relations Sub-Division of the North Sumatra Regional Police, on Monday, December 1, 2025. She explained that the arrests were made by the Sibolga Regional Police on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
The Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Medan criticized the arrests, arguing that looting in the context of a disaster does not constitute a criminal offense.
“As long as it is done to sustain life, it should not be criminalized,” said LBH Medan Director Irvan Syahputra on Monday, December 1, 2025.
Irvan cited criminal law provisions, noting that Article 48 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code recognizes exceptions to criminal liability under two conditions: force majeure (overmacht) and emergency situations (noodtoestand).
He added that the actions of Sibolga residents fall under a force majeure situation, given the urgent need for survival amid the disaster.
Imanuel Girsang contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Gov't to Summon Companies Suspected of Contributing to North Sumatra Floods
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