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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Floral Tributes Surround Doctor Ahead of Verdict in Negligence Case

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • Hundreds of floral tributes have been placed outside the Pangkalpinang District Court in support of Dr. Ratna Setia Asih, who faces charges of negligence causing a child's death.
  • Prosecutors are seeking a four-year and six-month prison sentence for Dr. Ratna, arguing she failed to adequately monitor the patient, Aldo Ramdani, who later died.
  • The defense is supported by numerous doctors and medical organizations who are calling for her acquittal, citing her adherence to procedures and lack of prior offenses.

The area outside the Pangkalpinang District Court is filled with hundreds of floral tributes expressing support and solidarity for Dr. Ratna Setia Asih, a pediatrician awaiting a verdict in a case of alleged criminal negligence resulting in the death of a child patient, Aldo Ramdani. The tributes, sent by doctors, medical organizations from across Indonesia, and other healthcare professionals, carry messages urging an end to the "criminalization" of Dr. Ratna and calling for her acquittal.

We request the Panel of Judges of the Pangkalpinang District Court... to sentence the defendant Ratna Setia Asih to a prison term of 4 years and 6 months.

— Anjasra KaryaThe prosecutor presenting the sentencing request.

According to the court's case information system, Dr. Ratna, a pediatrician at the Depati Hamzah Regional General Hospital in Pangkalpinang, was scheduled to appear for her sentencing on Monday, July 20, 2026. Prosecutors have requested a four-year and six-month prison sentence, arguing that Dr. Ratna is guilty of criminal negligence causing death under Article 440 of the Health Law.

Prosecutor Anjasra Karya stated that the aggravating factors in the case include the patient's death and Dr. Ratna's alleged lack of remorse, as she reportedly believes her actions were in line with procedures. The prosecution also noted the profound suffering caused to the victim's family and the absence of reconciliation. The only mitigating factor mentioned is that Dr. Ratna has no prior criminal record.

The aggravating factors for the defendant are that her actions resulted in the loss of another person's life. The defendant also does not regret her actions because she believes they were in accordance with procedures.

— Anjasra KaryaExplaining the prosecution's reasoning for the requested sentence.

The prosecution's argument centers on Dr. Ratna's alleged failure to conduct personal visits to the patient, Aldo Ramdani, from his admission to the hospital until his death. It is alleged that Dr. Ratna only communicated with the on-duty doctor and nurses via WhatsApp, despite knowing the child was in a critical, emergency condition requiring close monitoring. The prosecution also questioned Dr. Ratna's judgment in patient placement, despite recognizing the patient's critical vital signs and the need for intensive care.

The defendant never conducted a visit to the victim Aldo Ramdani since he was first admitted to RSUD Depati Hamzah until he died.

— Anjasra KaryaDetailing the alleged lack of direct patient care by Dr. Ratna.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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