In addition, Batubara affirmed that police investigators could not yet conclude that three gunmen, arrested and named suspects, were contract killers who had premeditated the murder before coming to Bali.
He made the remarks in response journalists' question regarding National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Chief Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom's earlier statement that the deadly shooting was linked to drug cartels.
"We are not sure about what the BNN chief has said, as we (police) focus our investigation on the criminal case while the BNN is focused on drug offenses," he remarked.
In his remarks during the recent inauguration of a drug-free village in Badung District, Hukom stated that the drug cartels had turned the Indonesian resort island of Bali into their killing ground.
Hukom therefore urged that the investigation into the fatal shooting at a villa in Munggu Village, Badung District, Bali, in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, should not center solely on the murder.
Instead, Hukom called on police investigators to explore possible drug cartel connections to clarify the motive behind the attack.
Batubara admitted that the motive behind the murder has not yet been determined, as police investigators continue to focus on establishing the timeline and have yet to delve further into the shooting case.
The shooting left Zivan Radmanovic, an Australian citizen, dead and Sanar Ghanim, also an Australian national, with minor injuries.
Police reports indicate that Radmanovic was shot in the villa's bathroom, witnessed by his wife, identified only as GJ. Ghanim's wife, Daniela, also reportedly witnessed the shooting aimed at her husband.
Three Australian men—Tupou Pasa Midolmore (27), Coskunmevlut (23), and Darcy Francesco Jenson (37)—have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, according to Badung police.
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Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Arie Novarina
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