Police in Jakarta have seized 995 airsoft guns and one firearm from a room formerly used by the head of a private school foundation in Pondok Pinang, South Jakarta. The discovery occurred during a facility cleanup following a leadership dispute within the school’s governing body, according to police and legal representatives.
Inventory of Seized Items and Ownership
Kombes Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations for the Polda Metro Jaya, confirmed the seizure of 995 airsoft guns, consisting of four 4.5 mm caliber air rifles, 215 4.5 mm caliber air pistols, and 776 4.5 mm caliber air revolvers. Additionally, authorities recovered one Franchi SPA, SPAS-15 caliber 12 GA firearm. Investigations into the firearm revealed it belonged to a man identified as DS, who passed away in 2020, according to Budi Hermanto.
The collection of airsoft guns has been linked to PT Lokta Karya Persatuan Menembak Indonesia (Perbakin). Alhadid Endar Putra, Direktur Utama of PT Lokta Karya Perbakin, stated the items are legally registered under permit number SI/5483-XII/2008. Police are currently investigating why these items were stored in a school foundation room rather than a designated warehouse, noting that under Indonesian National Police Regulation Number 1 of 2022, importers are required to report storage locations to authorities.
Dispute Within the School Foundation
The discovery of the weapons has highlighted an ongoing management conflict at the school. Hermawanto, a legal representative for the current school foundation, stated that the room was accessed only after the former head of the foundation, identified as IWD, was dismissed. Hermawanto alleged that the search of the room also uncovered narcotics and 30 compact discs containing pornographic material.
Alhadid, who acts as legal counsel for the former foundation head IWD, denied that the presence of the weapons was hidden. He claimed the weapons were intended for a target-shooting extracurricular program planned in 2020 in partnership with a former foundation board member. Alhadid asserted that the weapons are mostly rusted spare parts that have been in storage for years. In contrast, Hermawanto stated that school teachers have confirmed no such shooting extracurricular program ever existed at the institution.
Did You Know? The collection of 995 airsoft guns recovered by police includes 776 individual revolvers, all of which are 4.5 mm caliber, according to the official police inventory.
Potential Next Steps
Authorities are continuing to investigate the intended use of the imported weapons and the circumstances surrounding their storage. The Directorate of Intelligence and Security is currently reviewing documentation to determine if the storage arrangements violated existing regulations for imported airsoft inventory. Further legal action may depend on the results of the ongoing probe into the ownership records and the reported discovery of other illicit materials on the premises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the 995 airsoft guns?
According to Alhadid Endar Putra, the president director of PT Lokta Karya Perbakin, the airsoft guns belong to his company and are covered by an official permit.
Why were the weapons stored in the school?
Counsel for the former foundation head claims they were intended for a 2020 extracurricular shooting program that was never fully realized. The current school management denies that any such program ever existed.
What is the status of the firearm found at the school?
Police identified the owner as a man named DS who died in 2020. The weapon has been secured by the South Jakarta Metro Police for further investigation.
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