Ruben Onsu Stops KPR Payments for Cipete and Rempoa Properties
Presenter Ruben Onsu has ceased making monthly mortgage payments for two properties in Cipete, South Jakarta, and Rempoa, South Tangerang, citing a need for his ex-wife, Sarwendah, to share the financial burden. The decision follows a legal dispute initiated by Sarwendah, who filed a lawsuit for alleged breach of contract (wanprestasi) at the South Jakarta District Court in late September 2026. This dispute stems from the stalled mortgage payments on the two joint-property units, which carry a remaining principal debt.
Minola Sebayang, legal counsel for Ruben Onsu, stated on Thursday, November 5, 2026, that the mortgage payments, which total a significant remaining principal, are a joint responsibility under Article 3 of Notarial Deed Number 39. According to hot.detik.com, Ruben covered the entire installment amount independently throughout 2024 and 2025 without financial contributions from Sarwendah.
“He says, ‘take turns, I have been paying for a year alone without complaining,'” Minola said in Kuningan, South Jakarta. He added that Ruben expects Sarwendah to take over the remaining payments, noting that the deed dictates the houses will be transferred to her once the debt is cleared. Minola also emphasized that Ruben Onsu has already expressed his objection to covering the remaining mortgage installments alone alongside Sarwendah. Minola Sebayang asserted that even if the house is fully paid off, it does not automatically become Sarwendah's property.
Disputed Responsibility for the Debt
The legal teams for both parties remain in conflict regarding the interpretation of their post-divorce agreement. While Ruben’s side maintains that the debt is a joint obligation, Sarwendah’s legal representative, Jaenudin, argues that the burden rests solely with Ruben. Sarwendah has specifically requested that Ruben Onsu fulfill his obligation to pay off the mortgage as interpreted by the plaintiff based on Notarial Deed Number 39.
According to CNN Indonesia, Sarwendah rejected a peace proposal offered by Ruben’s team during a mediation session on November 3, 2026. Jaenudin stated that the proposal contradicted previous claims made by Ruben’s side that the payments were a shared responsibility. “He is trying to shift this so that the responsibility is burdened onto Sarwendah,” Jaenudin said. The Sarwendah camp has noted that the plaintiff is requesting Ruben to also cover the remaining installments. Jaenudin also highlighted that prior to their divorce, private conversations between the two indicated that Ruben would be the one to settle the BCA debt until completion.
The disagreement has also surfaced regarding the ownership status of the properties. Minola Sebayang clarified that the houses do not automatically become Sarwendah’s property upon the final payment. “The certificate is still in the name of Ruben Onsu,” Minola said, as reported by VIVA.co.id. He emphasized that a legal process, specifically a title transfer (balik nama), would be required to finalize the ownership transition. Jaenudin stated that regarding the villa certificate, Notarial Deed 39 already stipulates that matters of certificates and sales are only to be discussed once the BCA mortgage is settled.
Mediation Deadlines at South Jakarta District Court
The court-mandated mediation process has yet to yield an agreement. Both the CNN Indonesia and Kompas reports confirm that the next mediation session is set for November 10, 2026. Jaenudin noted that the court proceedings on November 3, 2026, ended in a stalemate.
Jaenudin indicated that the upcoming session serves as a final opportunity for the parties to reach a settlement. Should the mediation fail to produce an agreement by that date, the case will move forward to the examination of the main lawsuit. “If there is no agreement, then it is a deadlock, and the trial continues to the main case,” Jaenudin told Kompas. Sarwendah’s side is currently awaiting further developments, including whether any experts will be brought in to testify during the proceedings.
Common Questions Regarding the Property Dispute
What is the basis of Sarwendah’s lawsuit?
Sarwendah filed a lawsuit for breach of contract, asserting that under their prior agreements, including Notarial Deed Number 39 and personal correspondence, the responsibility for the mortgage payments lies exclusively with Ruben Onsu.
Why did Ruben Onsu stop paying the installments?
Ruben’s legal team states he is not claiming financial inability, but rather that he has fulfilled his portion of the payments for the past year and now requires his ex-wife to contribute equally to the remaining debt as stipulated in their shared agreement. Ruben Onsu’s team also cited economic conditions as a factor in their proposed peace terms during the mediation.
What happens if the mediation on November 10 fails?
If no consensus is reached during the November 10, 2026, session, the court will declare the mediation a failure (deadlock) and proceed to hear the main case regarding the alleged breach of contract.