Bounty Hunt Claimed to Have Psychologically Crushed Fugitive Taufik Hidayat

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has claimed that a bounty of Rp250 million offered for the capture of fugitive Taufik Hidayat (30) psychologically crushed the suspect, who is accused of false imprisonment and abuse against a woman identified by the initials YTR (29). According to Dedi, the manhunt bounty placed a heavy psychological burden on Taufik, who was on the police wanted list. He stated that the bounty made Taufik Hidayat feel he was the centre of attention, leading to confusion and his eventual return to Bandung, where he was apprehended by police. “I previously announced a bounty, that anyone who saw his face and reported it would be given Rp250 million,” Dedi Mulyadi said during a press conference at the West Java Regional Police Headquarters in Bandung on Friday (26/6). Dedi claimed the bounty exerted psychological pressure on the suspect while he was still a fugitive. “The bounty turned out to have a psychological effect on the suspect. He felt everyone was watching him, became confused, and eventually returned to Bandung,” he said. Taufik had previously fled to several locations, including Cimahi and Tangerang, before being arrested in the Majalaya area of Bandung Regency earlier this week. Now that he has been caught, Dedi confirmed that the promised Rp250 million bounty will be handed over to the victim through her family. He explained this was because the arrest was carried out by the West Java Police, making it impossible for police officers to accept the reward. “Because the arrest was made by the Regional Police, it is not possible for the police to receive the bounty,” he said. During the occasion, Dedi presented a savings account book containing Rp250 million to a representative of the victim’s family. The funds are intended to support the needs and future of the victim, who suffered due to years of confinement and abuse. “We are giving it to the victim’s family for her future provision,” he stated. Dedi also expressed his gratitude to members of the public who did not claim the bounty reward. “Thank you to the citizens who did not dare to report, so they did not get the Rp250 million,” Dedi joked. At the press conference, suspect Taufik Hidayat was also presented. Wearing a red detainee shirt, Taufik bowed his head before the media. He expressed regret and apologised for his treatment of YTR over the past three years. “I regret it, I apologise,” Taufik said briefly. He then remained silent and did not answer questions from journalists before being escorted back to the detention room by police officers. West Java Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Setiawan stated that the victim and suspect met in mid-2024. In this case, police have applied multiple charges, including Article 466 Paragraph (2) of the Criminal Code, Article 451 of the Criminal Code, and Article 446 Paragraph (2) of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 126 Paragraph (2) of the Criminal Code and Article 23 of the Criminal Code (Recidivist). The criminal penalty carries a sentence of over five years in prison.