Headline:
Three Local Teenagers Arrested for Alleged Assault on Singaporean Tourist in Bandung‘s Braga Area
Subhead:
Incident occurred during New Year’s Eve celebrations, prompting swift police response and public apology from local officials
Article:
BANDUNG, INDONESIA — In an unfortunate turn of events, a Singaporean tourist became the alleged victim of an assault while celebrating the arrival of 2025 in Bandung’s bustling Braga area. The incident, which took place on New Year’s Eve, has led to the arrest of three local teenagers suspected to be involved.
The Bandung Police, led by Commissioner Budi Sartono, swiftly responded to the incident. Within hours of the victim’s complaint, sent via email to the Bandung Metro Police Headquarters, a joint team from the Cyber Crime unit and the Protection of Women and Children unit launched an investigation. The tireless efforts of the police force culminated in the arrest of the three suspects, all residents of Cimaung, Bandung, and currently status as students.
The alleged assault was captured on the victim’s vlog, which was later uploaded to her YouTube channel, Darien & Joanna. The video,viewed widelyבר לculatedly, sparked outrage among netizens and prompted police action. The victim, Joanna, expressed her disappointment in the incident, stating, "I believe 99% of Indonesians are kind and fantastic, based on our four months here. However, this person must be caught, and no woman should be sexually assaulted and stay silent about it."
Commissioner Budi acknowledged that the three teenage suspects, identified as RF, RM, and MCA, admitted to interacting with the victim. During their initial interrogation, RF and RM confessed to making rude gestures in front of the victim and accidentally touching her backpack due to the crowded street. MCA, on the other hand, claimed no involvement in the incident.
Despite their confessions, Commander Budi emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages. Police will continue to gather evidence and plan to contact the victim for further questioning.
In light of this incident, Mayor of Bandung, Arief Syaifuddin, expressed his apologies on behalf of the city. He reassured visitors that maintaining the safety and comfort of tourists is a top priority for the city administration. "We deeply regret if any tourists visiting Bandung are inconvenienced by the actions of irresponsible individuals," he said.
The viral video has also drawn attention to the issue of sexual harassment and assault in public spaces. While most tourists have praised Indonesians for their warmth and hospitality, incidents like these serve as a stark reminder of the struggle against such behavior worldwide.
The Bandung Police have assured the public that they will continue to monitor and investigate the incident, with a firm commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice. They encourage anyone with further information to come forward and assist in their ongoing inquiries.
