Chronology of Boss Burning Driver in Karangasem: Suspect Initially Attempted to Extinguish Flames

Police have revealed the chronology of an incident in which a driver named I Gede Selamet (21) was set on fire by his employer, I Putu Cahyadi Putra (37), in Muncan Village, Selat District, Karangasem. Cahyadi reportedly attempted to extinguish the flames that were consuming his employee.

“Upon seeing the victim on fire, the perpetrator admitted to having helped extinguish the flames,” stated the Karangasem Police Chief, AKBP I Made Santika, during a press conference at his office on Friday (2/10/2026).

Santika explained that Cahyadi took the desperate step of burning his employee because the driver had failed to make his daily payments for 15 days. Cahyadi had contacted Selamet to demand the payment, but the victim claimed he did not yet have the funds. The perpetrator became enraged as the victim had been late with payments on several previous occasions.

Cahyadi subsequently went to Selamet’s house carrying a bottle of Pertalite (gasoline). Upon arriving at the victim’s home, Cahyately kicked Selamet while he was sleeping. Cahyadi demanded the payment, but the victim insisted he had no money, even showing the remaining cash in his wallet.

The perpetrator then threw the money away, leading to a confrontation. This caused Cahyadi to lose his temper further, resulting in him punching Selamet until he fell. Cahyadi then doused his employee with the Pertalite.

Cahyadi then attempted to use a lighter. The lighter failed to ignite on the first two attempts, only working on the third try. Still enraged, Cahyadi proceeded to set Selamet’s body ablaze. The flames immediately caught the victim, who had already been soaked in gasoline.

As Selamet ran while engulfed in flames, Cahyadi reportedly joined local residents in an attempt to extinguish the fire. The flames were eventually put out, and Selamet was rushed to the Selat Community Health Centre.

“Initially, based on the perpetrator’s confession, he only intended to frighten the victim, but it resulted in him being set on fire. All evidence, including the bottle and the lighter, has been secured,” said Santika.

As previously reported, Selamet ultimately passed away due to the burns inflicted by Cahyadi. He breathed his last while receiving treatment at the Prof. Ngoerah Central General Hospital in Denpasar.