Domestic Workers Jump from 4th Floor of Boarding House in Central Jakarta; One Previously Complained That Their Phone Was Confiscated by Employer

Police are continuing to investigate the case of two domestic workers (PRTs) who jumped from the fourth floor of a boarding house in Bendungan Hilir (Benhil), Central Jakarta, resulting in one death. One of the victims had told residents that their mobile phones had been confiscated by their employer.

Resident of RT 005 RW 002, Nani (68), was at the scene after the two victims, identified as D (30) and R (15), jumped. Nani said that the victim with the initials R, who was still able to communicate, had confessed about the whereabouts of their phones.

“I just asked the other woman, the one who could still be spoken to, ‘Where is your phone so it can be secured?’ She replied, ‘My phone was confiscated by the female boss on the orders of the male boss,’” said Nani when met on Saturday (25/4/2026).

Nani explained that when found by residents, both victims were lying on the ground. One was found face down and limp, while the other was on her side and could still communicate but only limitedly.

“One was just closing her eyes, but if we didn’t ask anything, she suddenly said ‘It hurts, Ma’am, it hurts.’ Her hand was broken with the bone protruding,” revealed Nani.

There Was a Bag Containing Clothes

Residents also found several bags containing clothes near the location where the victims fell. For information, the incident occurred on Wednesday night (22/4).

“There were clothes in the bags. One backpack, two tote bags full of clothes. There was also one more item that seemed like dirty laundry,” added Nani.

Nani, who had previously been the head of the RT in the area, said she knew and was acquainted with the owner of the four-storey boarding house. She mentioned that the boarding house owner had only moved to the location during the pandemic.

She described the daily life of the boarding house owner as quite friendly but very closed off from community activities. As a result, interactions with neighbours were very minimal.

“If we here, those with adjacent stairs know that people live on the fourth floor. But they never communicate, never,” stated Nani.

Nani recounted that the boarding house owner only interacted minimally if they happened to pass each other on the street. Communication usually consisted of just one or two words.

“She would greet if we passed each other, but only one sentence or one word like ‘Ma’am.’ I would reply ‘Oh yes’ and that’s it. Then if she wanted to enter, ‘Please, Ma’am,’ I would reply ‘Yes, please go ahead.’ That’s all,” she continued.

Nani said she did not know or recognise the domestic assistants (ARTs) in that house. Therefore, she was quite shocked by the incident of the PRTs jumping from the fourth floor.

She mentioned that the boarding house owner had never been involved in neighbourhood association (RT) activities or community socialisations. “Never, never joins, never (participates in community activities). They are like locked in the house. For Independence Day events, putting up flags, nothing,” she concluded.

For information, the incident occurred on Wednesday night (22/4). The PRT with initials D died in the incident. Meanwhile, the other one with initials R was injured and is still undergoing medical treatment.