Bangkalan Regent Demands Thorough Investigation into Mysterious Death of Official at Juanda Airport
Bangkalan Regent Lukman Hakim has called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the case of RYS (50), a civil servant and Secretary of the Public Housing and Settlement Agency (PRKP) of Bangkalan, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Juanda International Airport. Lukman expressed his hope that the police would promptly uncover the exact cause of his subordinate’s death. “Yes, the most important thing is that we hope the police can immediately reveal the cause of the death of one of our employees,” Lukman said on Tuesday (30/6). He stressed that the legal process should be transparent to prevent public speculation. “And hopefully it will be resolved soon, so there are no questions, no false perceptions, and the legal resolution makes everything clear,” he added. Lukman noted that the victim’s family has fully entrusted the investigation to the police. He also extended his personal condolences and those of the Bangkalan Regency Government to the bereaved family.
The family of RYS suspects foul play. The victim’s body was found in a black Toyota Innova official car in the parking area of Terminal 1 at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya. The family’s lawyer, Risang Bima Wijaya, stated that their suspicions are based on evidence, including CCTV footage shown to the family by the police. The footage from the airport entrance gate shows the official car, with registration number M 1090 GP, being driven by an unidentified man. The man was alone when taking the parking ticket. The recording, which was clear and in colour, showed the man wearing a mask, a blue shirt, and glasses, and having curly hair. Risang noted that the victim, who was supposed to be in the passenger seat, was not visible in the footage, suggesting the seat was deliberately reclined from the start to hide her body. Further CCTV footage from the parking area showed the same man leaving the vehicle alone; no one exited from the passenger side. The man is believed to have then left the airport by taxi.
Other irregularities were found with the victim’s belongings. A bracelet and necklace the victim was wearing, as confirmed by family during a video call before contact was lost, were missing when the body was discovered. Only a right earring and a ring on her left hand were returned to the family after the autopsy. The left earring was detached, suspected to be from a blunt force impact. The victim’s wallet and mobile phone were secured by investigators. The lawyer believes the phone is key to identifying the perpetrator, as police can trace the most frequently contacted numbers. Based on the collected facts, Risang believes Juanda Airport was not the primary crime scene but merely the location where the perpetrator disposed of the body. He also cited preliminary autopsy results indicating signs of violence and an unnatural death, with findings consistent with suffocation or lack of oxygen (asphyxia). Risang added that investigators have informed him a suspect has been identified, though no official announcement has been made. The Sidoarjo Police are continuing their investigation, with the Criminal Investigation Unit conducting on-site examinations.