Brigade Joxzin Member Killed in Home Attack Following Rivalry Challenge

A member of the Brigade Joxzin civic organisation named Kitin Yoga Tama Rustamaji, also known as TYR (36), was murdered by an unknown assailant while sleeping with his wife and child at his home in Kaliurang, Argomulyo, Sedayu, Bantul. Prior to his death, the victim had allegedly been involved in rivalry challenges with another group.

The murder occurred on Wednesday 25 February at approximately 05:30 local time. The victim’s wife heard the back door of their home open, at which point the perpetrator, wearing a face covering (sebo), immediately swung a machete towards the still-sleeping victim.

According to Bantul Police Spokesman Iptu Rita Hidayanto, the victim’s wife managed to parry the machete blow, resulting in injuries to three of her fingers. Their five-year-old child escaped without injury.

“Despite the witness (the victim’s wife) blocking the blow, the perpetrator’s swing struck the victim’s face, stomach and fingers,” said Rita on Wednesday 25 February.

After attacking TYR, the perpetrator immediately left the home. Based on police and medical examinations, the victim sustained wounds to his face and stomach extending to his thigh.

Police have examined several witnesses in relation to the murder case. “To date, four witnesses have been interviewed,” said Bantul Police Spokesman Iptu Rita Hidayanto on Friday 27 February. These four witnesses were friends of the victim who were gathered at his home at the time of the incident. “The four witnesses were associates who had gathered at the victim’s home before the incident,” said Rita.

When asked whether the four individuals knew of the impending attack on the victim, Rita declined to comment. Rita also declined to confirm whether the four individuals gathered at the victim’s home were members of Brigade Joxzin.

According to Mohamad Novweni, a member of Brigade Joxzin’s legal and human rights team, there was information suggesting the victim had previously been involved in rivalry challenges with another group. “From the accounts of local Joxzin members, there was information of rivalry challenges and fights with another group,” said Novweni when contacted on Friday 27 February.

However, Novweni stated he did not know which group was involved. He indicated that the rivalry challenges between TYR (36) and the other group had occurred some time previously. “A few weeks ago there were these challenges, then a few weeks later this incident occurred,” he said.

Novweni declined to speculate on the origin of the group involved in the rivalry with the victim. He stated the case had been handed over to Bantul Police for investigation.

“But we cannot speculate about the perpetrator being from a civic organisation or otherwise as everything has been handed over to police and they are still investigating,” he said.

Novweni explained that during his time as a Brigade Joxzin member, the victim had never caused problems with other members or other groups. “As far as Joxzin members are concerned, he had never caused problems, either with other members or other groups,” he stated.

Novweni added that the victim was known in his daily life as a self-employed businessman whose work involved raising fighting chickens. “The deceased was self-employed, raising fighting cocks. He would rear young fighting chicks and raise them,” he explained.

Police have not elaborated much regarding claims that the victim had been involved in rivalry challenges. The case remains under investigation by Bantul Police.