Jakarta police have officially named prominent dermatologist Dokter Richard Lee a suspect in a widening legal dispute involving alleged violations of health and consumer protection laws. teh inquiry, spurred by a complaint filed in December 2024 by fellow medical professional Dr. Samira Farahnaz, also known as Dokter Detektif, highlights increasing scrutiny of medical advertising and practice in Indonesia. Both Dokter Lee and Dokter Detektif are currently subjects of separate investigations, with authorities attempting to mediate the escalating conflict.
Polda Metro Jaya has named Dokter Richard Lee a suspect in a case alleging violations of health and consumer protection laws. The development comes amid a back-and-forth legal battle between the doctor and another medical professional.
According to a statement from Kombes Reonald Simanjuntak, head of public relations for Polda Metro Jaya, the investigation was launched following a report filed by Dr. Samira Farahnaz, known as Dokter Detektif (Doktif), on December 2, 2024, under report number LP/B/7317/XII/2024/SPKT Polda Metro Jaya.
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“We can confirm that a suspect designation was made on December 15, 2025, regarding individual RL,” Simanjuntak told reporters on Tuesday, January 6.
Simanjuntak did not provide details regarding the specifics of the case or Richard Lee’s alleged role in the alleged violations.
Investigators have issued a summons for Richard Lee to appear for questioning, initially scheduled for December 23, 2025.
However, Lee requested a postponement, and a new hearing date has been set for Wednesday, January 7. “According to information from investigators, he requested to reschedule the hearing for January 7. There is currently no confirmation of whether he will attend,” Simanjuntak stated.
The investigation into Lee follows a defamation complaint he filed against Dokter Detektif at the Metro Jakarta Selatan Police. Doktif has also been named a suspect in that case, on December 12, 2025.
Kompol Dwi Manggala Yuda, deputy head of the criminal investigation unit at the Metro Jakarta Selatan Police, said Doktif is currently not in custody and is only required to report to authorities periodically.
“We are not detaining her at this time because the charges fall under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), which carries a maximum sentence of two years, therefore detention is not required,” Yuda explained.
Yuda added that authorities are attempting to mediate the dispute between Doktif and Richard Lee, with a planned meeting on January 6, 2026. “We have issued a summons for mediation and are awaiting a response from both parties to appear at the Metro Jakarta Selatan Police. The meeting has been postponed until January 6, 2026, and both parties will be summoned directly,” he said.
(fra/tfq/fra)
