Murder of Ermanto Usman

In the early hours of March 2, 2026, Ermanto Usman, a retiree of PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT), was found dead in his bedroom at the Prima Lingkar Asri Housing complex, Jatibening Village, Pondok Gede District, Bekasi, West Java.^[1]

His wife, Pasmilawati (60), was found in critical condition at the same location and subsequently received intensive medical care at Primaya Hospital Bekasi.^[2]

The police stated that the case is still under investigation and have not reached a final conclusion as to whether the incident was a robbery involving violence or a premeditated murder.^[3]

Ermanto Usman was a pensioner of PT Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT), a subsidiary of Pelindo II.^[4] During his years of active service, he served as the chairman of the labor union and was known for being vocal regarding labor issues and port management.^[5] He reportedly faced termination twice during his career, though both decisions were eventually overturned by the Minister of Transportation at the time.^[6]

Following his retirement approximately nine years before the incident, he served as the Chairman of the JICT Pensioners' Association and remained active in public discourse through various forums, including podcasts. On December 15, 2025, he appeared on the "MADILOG" podcast by Forum Keadilan TV to discuss alleged irregularities in the JICT contract extension between PT Pelindo II and the Hong Kong-based firm Hutchison Port Holdings.

In his statements, he cited the 2018 investigative audit by the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK), which identified potential state losses of US$360 million (approximately Rp4.08 trillion) due to a shortfall in upfront fees for the contract extension signed on August 5, 2014.^[7] The audit, which was submitted to the DPR on June 13, 2017, detailed findings regarding procedural violations, including the failure to include the extension plan in the Long-Term Corporate Plan (RJPP) and the Annual Work Plan and Budget (RKAP), the lack of a concession permit from the Minister of Transportation, and the selection of partners without a proper competitive bidding mechanism.^[8]

The case was previously a subject of deliberation by a DPR Special Committee (Pansus) during the 2014–2019 term. During the podcast, Ermanto noted that the DPR Special Committee had issued seven recommendations, including the cancellation of the contract, which he claimed had not been implemented by the end of the council's term.^[9]

The incident was discovered when the victims' youngest daughter, who lived in the same house, woke up for Suhoor around 04:00–04:15 WIB. She became suspicious as she had not been woken up as usual. Upon going downstairs, she found the house in darkness; her parents' bedroom door was locked, and there was no response when she called out.^[10]

Initial attempts to open the door were unsuccessful. Family members and neighbors eventually assisted in breaking the bedroom window facing the garage to gain access. Both victims were found lying in blood; Ermanto was on the bed, while Pasmilawati was lying on the bedroom floor. A neighbor reported hearing groans from inside the room before the evacuation took place.

Both were immediately rushed to Primaya Hospital Bekasi. Ermanto was pronounced dead at approximately 06:00 WIB, while his wife underwent intensive medical treatment.

Preliminary medical examinations indicated injuries caused by blunt force trauma to the head. A neighbor who assisted in the evacuation stated that they did not observe any lacerations or stab wounds.

Results from the crime scene investigation indicated that the perpetrators likely entered through a window. Footprints were discovered on the front fence of the house, which borders a vacant lot. Police suspect that the assailants climbed the complex's perimeter wall—approximately two meters high—to evade detection.

Several closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras around the location have been secured by authorities.^[11] However, a neighbor stated that the security cameras at her residence did not record any suspicious activity at the time of the incident.^[12]

The Animal Police Directorate deployed K-9 tracking dogs to scour the area leading toward the Kalimalang main road. The trail reportedly stopped at a former motorcycle wash facility currently being used as a scrap metal collection site. Police questioned three employees at the location, but no indications of involvement were found.^[13]

The family reported the loss of two sets of car keys, the house and bedroom keys, the mobile phones of both victims, wallets, and a gold bracelet belonging to Pasmilawati. Despite this, the victims' vehicles remained at the residence, while a safe and several important documents were reportedly left untouched.^[14]

The locked state of the bedroom and the missing keys have become a primary focus of the investigation. According to the family, the bedroom door was typically left unlocked while the couple slept.

The victim's son stated his belief that the incident was not a simple robbery, but rather a premeditated murder.^[15] The family also highlighted the condition of the house's second floor, which remained orderly and undisturbed, even though one of the children was present there during the incident and heard no commotion.^[16]

A member of the DPR RI, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, urged law enforcement not to prematurely conclude the motive as a mere robbery. She pushed for a thorough investigation, including the possibility of other parties being the mastermind behind the event.^[17] This statement was made to the media and does not constitute an official conclusion from the investigators.^[18]

The investigation is being conducted by the Bekasi City Metro Police, supported by the Mobile Reserse (Resmob) and the Violence and Crimes (Jatanras) Sub-Directorates of the Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police (Polda Metro Jaya).^[19] Authorities have stated that they are still looking into the motive, the number of perpetrators, and potential links to the victim's background and activities.

As of the latest media reports in early March 2026, no suspects have been announced, and the case remains under active investigation.^[20]

• Jakarta International Container Terminal
• Pelindo