By Investigative Desk A climate of fear and profound grief has descended upon Sukarame Baru village in the Kualuh Hulu district of North Labuhanbatu, North Sumatra. What began as a routine day for local agricultural workers on June 16, 2026, concluded in a brutal act of violence that claimed the life of 32-year-old Luis David Hutabarat and left three others severely injured. The incident, which involved security personnel—including active and retired military figures—employed by PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Civil society organizations are now calling for a comprehensive, transparent investigation, urging authorities to ensure that justice is not obstructed by the influence of security forces or corporate interests. The Tragedy of June 16 Luis David Hutabarat, a local worker who earned his living as a palm fruit weigher, was the primary victim of the confrontation. He was discovered lifeless at the site, with witnesses describing a harrowing scene: his body was found with signs of severe physical trauma, including his tongue protruding, in the heart of the company’s plantation area at Blok K33. Three of his colleagues—Jhoni (28), Doni Romadan (29), and Sutomi (31)—survived the ordeal but sustained significant injuries. According to the Advocacy Team Against Impunity (ARMI), which includes members from KontraS Sumut, LBH, Bakumsu, and several student organizations, the violence was not a spontaneous outburst but a targeted act of aggression. A Calculated Confrontation: The Chronology of Events Based on eyewitness accounts collected by advocacy groups, the victims were returning home after cleaning a plot of land belonging to Ramlan Nainggolan, Luis’s father-in-law. Around 4:00 PM, their progress was abruptly halted by a group of men armed with machetes and gancu (iron hooks used for harvesting). "When they blocked our path, I saw them deliberately ram their motorcycles into our bikes until we fell," a witness recalled on June 24. "Then, they began beating Doni and Tomi with the iron hooks and their bare hands." The situation escalated rapidly. According to testimony, Serma Buana Delly, an active-duty soldier from the Kodam I/Iskandar Muda military command who was serving as a security operative for the firm, allegedly leveled a death threat directly at Luis. "Get down here, Luis! Let’s play. I will kill you," he reportedly shouted while brandishing a machete. As the group fled in terror, Luis became separated from his colleagues. A retired military officer working for the company, identified as Budiono, allegedly pursued Luis for approximately 200 meters. Upon catching up to him, witnesses claim that Serma Buana Delly joined the pursuit and, finding the victim prone on the ground, proceeded to step on Luis’s neck, callously remarking, "Stop pretending." The victim’s family, arriving at the scene shortly thereafter, discovered his body. The tragedy has left the community demanding not just financial compensation, but a full accounting of the state of human rights within the plantation’s perimeter. The Legal Battle: Seeking Justice Against Impunity Legal experts are now questioning the narrative of "accidental" or "spontaneous" violence pushed by some parties. Surya Dayan of Huta Keadilan Associates argues that the physical evidence and the sequence of events point toward premeditated murder rather than simple assault. "We urge the police to reconsider the charges," Dayan stated. "The pursuit, the use of deadly weapons, and the specific, calculated pressure applied to the victim’s neck suggest intent. We believe this meets the criteria for Article 459 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) regarding premeditated murder, rather than just the lesser charges of battery or assault." The advocacy coalition is demanding that the case be tried in a civilian court. They argue that the involvement of military personnel—whether active or retired—in corporate security operations is a dangerous trend that undermines civilian authority and perpetuates a culture of impunity. A Pattern of Systemic Violence The incident on June 16 is not an isolated event. Records from ARMI indicate that since PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara began operations in the region in October 2025, there have been at least 16 recorded instances of violence associated with the company’s security apparatus. Dinda Zahra Noviyanti, Operational Head of KontraS Sumut, points out a disturbing pattern. "Since the transition of land management to Agrinas, at least 15 people have been victims of violence," she noted. "In several cases, the company has coerced survivors into signing false statements claiming their injuries were the result of accidents rather than abuse." Furthermore, investigations by KontraS Sumut revealed that at the time of the fatal attack, the victims were not even in possession of palm fruit. This debunked the company’s common justification for such "security" actions: the combatting of theft. It suggests that the violence is being used as a tool for intimidation and territorial control rather than the protection of assets. Official Responses: Police and Military The response from the authorities has been cautious but acknowledges the gravity of the situation. AKBP Wahyu Endrajaya, the North Labuhanbatu Police Chief, confirmed that the case has entered the formal investigation phase. An autopsy conducted at the Rantauprapat Regional Hospital concluded that Luis’s death was caused by suffocation resulting from compression of the neck. Three civilian suspects—Budi, Ilham Fajar, and Koi Musda Harianja—have been detained. Budi is considered the primary suspect in the fatal beating, while the others are charged with participating in the coordinated assault. Regarding the military personnel involved, Letkol Hanung Kaptiaji of the 0209/Labuhanbatu Military District stated that Budiono, the retiree, is no longer under military jurisdiction and will be processed under civil law. Meanwhile, the Sub-Detachment of Military Police (Subdenpom) I/1-2 Rantauprapat is currently investigating the role of the active-duty soldier, Serma Buana Delly. "We have received the case file from the police regarding the alleged involvement of an active military officer," said Captain CPM Rudi FP Simorangkir. "We are currently conducting thorough examinations of witnesses to determine the extent of his involvement." Corporate Stance: "An Unfortunate Accident" In an interview with Mongabay, Soekarnoto, the Head of the Sumut-Aceh region for PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara, characterized the death of Luis David Hutabarat as a tragic accident. "We are deeply saddened by this event, and it should not have happened," Soekarnoto said. "We are conducting a comprehensive internal evaluation." He confirmed that the individuals detained by the police and military were indeed company security staff. However, he maintained that there was no official directive from the company to use violence. "We prioritize persuasive approaches," he claimed, noting that the company employs over 200 local residents. Addressing the accusations of systemic violence, Soekarnoto admitted that there have been issues with "unauthorized parties" taking palm fruit, which has necessitated security measures. However, he insisted that the company is committed to ending such violence and "tidying up" their operational procedures to ensure no further loss of life occurs. The Broader Implications: Military in the Private Sector The tragedy at Sukarame Baru highlights a persistent, dangerous issue in Indonesia: the use of military and retired military personnel as "private security" for corporate interests. This "privatization of force" often results in human rights abuses, as the power dynamics between corporate-backed security forces and local villagers are inherently lopsided. Civil society groups are calling for three major policy shifts: The Withdrawal of Military from Corporate Security: A complete prohibition on active-duty military personnel performing security roles for private companies, which often puts them in direct conflict with local populations. Transparent Prosecution: The case must be tried in an open, civilian court to ensure that the rule of law applies equally, regardless of the perpetrator’s professional background. Accountability for Corporate Management: Beyond the individual perpetrators, there must be an investigation into the corporate culture and management of PT Agrinas Palma Nusantara to determine if they fostered an environment where violence against locals was considered an acceptable cost of business. Conclusion: A Call for Justice As the community of Sukarame Baru continues to mourn, the focus remains on the pursuit of truth. The death of Luis David Hutabarat has become a symbol of the struggle for land rights and the right to live free from intimidation. The promise of "persuasive" security and "internal evaluation" by the company holds little weight for the family of the victim. For them, and for the organizations standing by their side, the only acceptable outcome is a legal process that holds every person—from the foot soldiers to the corporate overseers—accountable for the violence that stole a father, a husband, and a community member. The coming months will test the resolve of the North Sumatra justice system. Will this be another case of impunity, or will it be the turning point that finally addresses the long-standing tensions between large-scale agribusiness and the rural communities they impact? The eyes of the public are fixed on Rantauprapat, awaiting a verdict that reflects the gravity of a life lost. Post navigation The Cost of Resistance: The Ordeal of Misran Toni and the Fight for Justice in Muara Kate
