Bali Governor Speaks Out on Suspected Chicken Thief Beaten to Death by Mob

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has stated that law enforcement officials are currently handling the case of a suspected chicken thief with the initials KD, who died after being attacked by a mob in Tabanan Regency, Bali.

Governor Koster said that five suspects have now been processed by the Bali Regional Police (Polda Bali).

“The five individuals have already been processed by the police,” said Koster after chairing the Bali Forkompinda Coordination Meeting at the Kertha Sabha Building in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday afternoon (28/7).

Koster asked residents across Bali to maintain order in their respective villages. He stressed that preventing crime should not be overly reactive and that humanitarian values must be upheld.

“Yes, everyone must maintain the situation in their own villages. In my view, there is no need to be overly reactive. If someone commits theft, then so be it. But of course, humanity must be protected first,” he said.

He also stated that the Bali Provincial Government and the Buleleng regional government have already made efforts to assist the family of the deceased, KD.

Meanwhile, Bali Regional Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya said the case is still being handled by the police.

“It is currently still under police handling. Five people have been detained for further processing. That number could increase. In essence, we are seeking and gathering evidence to prove that an act of mob assault took place which resulted in death — that is all,” he said.

Previously, the Tabanan Police in Bali named five suspects in the case of the mob beating of a man with the initials KD, who had allegedly stolen chickens in Batunya Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan Regency, Bali.

The five suspects bear the initials MJ, WS, KB, ML and ND. The incident occurred on Friday (24/7). The victim, KD, was beaten to death by a mob after being caught allegedly stealing fighting cocks.

Tabanan Police Chief AKBP I Putu Bayu Pati said the police are currently handling two cases simultaneously: the alleged theft, being handled by the Baturiti Sector Police, and the alleged collective act of public violence resulting in the victim’s death.

“The handling of these cases is being carried out professionally by the Tabanan Police with the support of the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Bali Regional Police,” he said in a written statement on Monday (27/7).