Attempting to Turn Off Shop Lights, Bambang Setiawan Becomes Fatality in Pejompongan Unrest

Jakarta, VIVA – Bambang Setiawan’s (60) intention to simply turn off the lights in his shop on Thursday night, 27 August, ended in tragedy. The resident of the Pejompongan area, Central Jakarta, left his home amidst a situation that had not yet fully stabilised following demonstrations in front of the DPR/MPR RI Building.

Bambang, who sells glass on a daily basis, initially had no intention of travelling far. After returning home in the evening, he intended to go to Pelni Hospital to accompany a neighbour who was unwell.

Bambang’s son, Wisnu (35), stated that before leaving, Bambang had asked his wife for the shop keys and inquired about the shop lights that were still on.

“To make a long story short, my father returned home—I cannot be certain of the exact time, but I believe it was after 11:00 pm, nearly 11:30 pm,” Wisnu told tvOnenews.com in the Pejompongan area, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, 30 August 2026.

“He chatted with my mother, then went home; he brought some food and perhaps wanted to clean up before heading back to the hospital. He was likely heading towards the front after checking the shop, which is why he asked for the keys at home and asked my mother, ‘Why haven’t the lights been turned off yet?’ So, he asked for the keys, saying, ‘Here, where are the keys?’” he continued.

Wisnu recounted that before leaving the house, his father and mother had tried to restrain themselves because crowds from outside were entering the alleyway. “But before going out in front, a large number of people from outside entered the alley,” Wisnu said, his eyes red and swollen.

“Before my father and mother left the house, they were held back because there were masses from the side of the house entering the alley, running towards the inside. My mother told him, ‘Don’t go out, there are crowds entering the alley now.’ My younger sibling was also at home,” he continued.

Bambang eventually stepped outside after the situation was deemed to have subsided. His son had left the house first, and Bambang subsequently followed.