Kombes Pol M. Arsal Sahban.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – Kombes Pol Dr. M. Arsal Sahban, S.H., S.I.K., M.H., M.M., an officer in the Polri, is recognized as an innovative law enforcement official and an expert in modern financial and blockchain-related crimes. He is also among the top three nominees for the 2026 Hoegeng Awards in the “Officer of Integrity” category.

Currently, the Makassar native—born on January 21, 1977—serves as the Head of Sub-Directorate II (Banking) under the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes at the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Polri.

Under his supervision, authorities are handling a major economic case involving allegations of fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering linked to the fintech lending platform PT Dana Syariah Indonesia (PT DSI).

Investigations reveal that this case, which centers on defaults and fraud, involves assets valued at over Rp500 billion, with the total restitution sought by victims reaching Rp1.076.021.883.889—approximately Rp1,07 trillion.

The scale of this case is truly massive. According to findings by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) as of September 2025, PT DSI had collected Rp11,49 trillion from 23,266 lenders since 2018. Of this amount, Rp 2,47 trillion remains unreturned, with approximately Rp1,87 trillion allegedly funneled into fictitious projects.

In the course of the investigation, the authorities have categorized the PT DSI case into four distinct clusters. The first cluster of suspects includes Taufiq Aljufri (President Director), Mery Yuniarni (former director and shareholder), and Arie Rizal Lesmana (commissioner and shareholder) of PT DSI.

The second cluster involves Atis Sutisna, who served as a director of PT DSI from 2018 to 2024. The third cluster concerns an individual identified by the initials FH, a former official at the Financial Services Authority (OJK). The fourth cluster names PT DSI itself as a corporate suspect; this case is currently still under investigation.

Case files for the first, second, and third clusters have been declared complete (P21) and are now being handled by the Depok District Attorney’s Office.

The “Cobra Team” of the Polres Lumajang

Before assuming his current position, this Aquarius-born officer served as an Intermediate Policy Analyst for Special Crimes at the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Polri, as well as the Coordinator of the Polri’s “Presisi” (Precision) Command Post. However, he gained significant prominence during his tenure leading the Polres Lumajang under the Polda of East Java from 2018 to 2019.

His integrity and dedication became immediately apparent when he established the Cobra Team to combat street crimes—ranging from violent robberies (begal) and livestock theft to illegal sand mining—in a region that had previously earned the notorious nickname “City of Bandits” (Kota Begal).

When he arrived in Lumajang—holding the rank of AKBP at the time—crime rates were high, public trust in law enforcement was low, and the fear of traveling at night had become a daily reality for the local residents.

Responding to this situation, Kombes Pol Arsal took swift action by establishing a special unit dubbed Team Cobra. The team’s mandate focused on three primary issues: violent street robbery (begal), cattle theft, and illegal sand mining. It did not take long for Team Cobra to become a source of terror for criminals throughout the regency.

During his tenure as the Kapolres Lumajang, Kombes Pol Arsal also successfully handled several major cases. One notable instance involved uncovering a pyramid scheme operated by PT Q-NET under the guise of a multi-level marketing (MLM) business. In connection with this case, the director of PT Amoeba International—identified by the initials MK—was named a suspect.

It must be acknowledged that, during his time as the Kapolres Lumajang, Kombes Pol Arsal was viewed as a fearsome monster by those who committed violent street robberies. This was especially true after he made a public statement effectively declaring that the blood of such robbers was permissible to be shed.

The following is a post by the Kapolres Lumajang, Kombes Pol Arsal Sahban—who held the rank of AKBP at the time—which remains clearly on record to this day:

“To the people of Lumajang and the surrounding areas,

As the Kapolres Lumajang, i offer my deepest apologies regarding the robbery incident last night that resulted in the death of a resident from Jember.

This is, without a doubt, my responsibility. I feel a profound sense of guilt over this incident.

We must apprehend the perpetrator. I have ordered the leader of the ‘Cobra Team’ to use every possible means to capture the culprit. I have instructed the Cobra Team to shoot the robber on sight.

I declare the blood of these robbers to be ‘permissible’ (to be shed). I urge the public to help eradicate them—do not be afraid or hesitant.

I also ask anyone with information regarding the perpetrator to come forward. We will protect the identities of all witnesses and keep them strictly confidential.

Furthermore, i urge the residents of Lumajang and its surrounding areas not to purchase vehicles without proper documentation (bodong vehicles), as doing so only fuels acts of robbery. High demand for such vehicles inevitably drives up supply—and that supply is sourced from criminal acts, such as robberies.

Moving forward, i will explore every avenue to ensure Lumajang is safe and free from the scourge of robbery. I ask for the support of all segments of the Lumajang community.

LET US FIGHT BACK AGAINST CRIME.

His firm and uncompromising stance during his leadership of the Polres Lumajang is also supported by statistical data. According to records from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of reported crimes in Lumajang Regency reached its lowest point in 2019, during the tenure of Kombes Pol Muhammad Arsal.

Prior to 2018, the crime rate in Lumajang stood at 522 cases per year. However, once Kombes Pol Arsal took charge as Kapolres In Lumajang, the number of cases dropped significantly to 312 per year, with a case resolution rate reaching 88,46%.

Following the departure of Kombes Pol Arsal from the Polres Lumajang Department, the crime rate in the area surged back up to 1.378 cases per year. This is the reality, as reflected in the statistical data.

Academic Achievement, Recipient of the Best Nastrap Award at Sespimti

Beyond his duties as an active police officer, Kombes Pol Arsal Sahban has also pursued a serious academic career. He serves as a permanent lecturer at STIK-PTIK with the academic rank of Lektor (Lecturer)—a title officially recognized and conferred by the Ministry of Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia. This is more than just an internal functional position; it represents formal state recognition of his scholarly expertise.

It must be acknowledged that Kombes Pol Arsal is highly active in the field of education. He even founded an educational institution—a college called STIMLASH Makassar—and has established international partnerships, such as one with Northern Illinois University in the United States. Pretty impressive, right?

Yet, despite his academic pursuits, he remains humble and never stops learning.

In December 2025, Kombes Pol Arsal Sahban completed the Polri’s highest-level leadership program, Sespimti—not as an instructor, but as a student.

During the program, he received an award for the best Strategic Paper (Naskah Strategis or Nastrap) for the 34th Regular Course (Dikreg 34), Cohort 2. His paper, titled “New Threats Behind Blockchain: The Polri’s Strategy to Mitigate Cyber-Dependent Financial Crime for the Sake of Maintaining National Economic Stability,” served as a graduation requirement.

He also earned the top honor in the Sanyata Sumanasa Wira Aksara (Novelty) category. This award for the best work in terms of novelty was presented personally by the Head of the Polri Education and Training Institute (Kalemdiklat Polri), Komjen Pol Chryshnanda Dwilaksana.

Kombes Pol Arsal’s strategic paper addresses a new breed of crime that goes beyond conventional cybercrime, evolving into what is known as “cyber-dependent financial crime.”

The paper was recognized for its novelty and profound insights into solutions and strategies for addressing challenges, issues, and contingencies—ultimately strengthening the Polri’s operational capacity. His work successfully introduced a fresh perspective on the role of the Polri in safeguarding the nation’s financial stability amidst the rapid acceleration of global technology. He’s the best, bro.

The 34th Regular Course (Dikreg 34), Cohort 2 of the Sespimti program, in which Kombes Pol Arsal participated, included a total of 368 students. The participants consisted of 60 individuals from the 34th cohort (Batch 2) of the Polri’s Higher Leadership School (Sespimti), 141 from the 65th cohort (Batch 2) of the Intermediate Leadership School (Sespimmen), 63 from the 2nd cohort of the Police Leadership and Management Program (SPPK), and 104 from the 74th cohort of the Basic Leadership School (Sespimma).

The conclusion of this training marks the emergence of strategic leaders within the Polri, who are expected to address future national security challenges—including increasingly complex threats related to digital and financial crimes.

Notably, these competencies are being effectively applied by a Kombes Pol Arsal who is currently leading a major investigation into alleged fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering involving the fintech lending platform PT DSI.

Category: Police Officer with Integrity

Kombes Pol Muhammad Arsal Sahban—who, at the time, served as a Senior Policy Analyst for Special Crimes at the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) of the Polri—was once among the top three candidates for the “Police Officer with Integrity” category of the 2026 Hoegeng Awards.

There are countless reasons why he was selected as a candidate. He was recognized for his successful performance during his tenure as the Kapolres Lumajang. It is, therefore, no surprise that the man known as “Commander Cobra” earned a spot as a nominee.

“To ensure that the recipient of the Police Officer with Integrity award is truly a person of integrity, a multi-layered verification process is required,” stated Gufron Mabruri, a member of the 2026 Hoegeng Awards Expert Council, at the time.

Upon further inquiry, it appears that the judges consider the Police Officer with Integrity category to be the most challenging, the most rigorously verified, and the most prestigious category in the entire awards program.

In this category, a candidate’s track record must be examined thoroughly through a multi-layered vetting process. This encompasses everything from the accuracy of financial disclosures (LHKPN) and the presence—or absence—of conflicts of interest in the performance of duties, to lifestyle considerations and cross-verification from various independent sources.

Consequently, in the view of the judges, this category serves as the primary face of the Polri in the eyes of the public. (Bembo)