Former TTS Legislator Killed by Villagers in Dispute Over Ministry Irrigation Project
A former member of the Timor Tengah Selatan (TTS) Regional House of Representatives, Gustaf Nabuasa, has died after being beaten on the head with a piece of wood, resulting in a fractured skull. The incident took place in a rice field in Bena Village, Amanuban Selatan District, TTS, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Bena Village Head Charles Richel Nabuasa, the victim’s older brother, was also assaulted during the attack.
‘He passed away at Ben Mboi General Hospital in Kupang on Tuesday (9/6/2026) at around 23.22 Central Indonesian Time,’ said the victim’s younger brother, Abner Nabuasa, to detikBali on Thursday (11/6/2026).
Abner explained that the case occurred on Wednesday (3/6/2026). At the time, Gustaf and Charles were at the site of a new rice field expansion programme under the Ministry of Agriculture. The land had never been cultivated before.
According to Abner, the programme had undergone a socialisation process at the Bena Village office, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture as the implementing body, Undana Kupang, the TTS Agriculture Office, sub-district and village governments, traditional leaders, and community members. During the socialisation, all participants agreed to expand irrigation on the rice fields, which had been measured and certified in 2010-2012 by former Village Head LB Nabuasa. The 600-hectare area had been certified as the property of individual residents, but had been controlled by the Nope Nabuasa, Maher Nabuasa, and Jemi Benu families.
As part of the programme, the Ministry of Agriculture provided permanent irrigation assistance to benefit the certificate-holding residents, supporting the national food security initiative. On 1-2 June 2026, the contractor implementing the irrigation project began moving equipment to the site, though no work had commenced. Building materials were transported to the location on 2 June using vehicles belonging to Gustaf Nabuasa.
Upon seeing this activity, a group of residents from nearby settlements gathered and halted the work on 3 June. The contractor subsequently reported the situation to Gustaf Nabuasa, requesting his presence at the site.
‘When he arrived, the location was already crowded with residents,’ Abner recounted.
Shortly after, Village Head Charles Richel Nabuasa arrived to mediate, explaining that the contractor was merely clearing the land for irrigation construction and that the land ownership status remained with the certificate holders. However, the explanation was rejected by a resident named Jemi Benu and his wife, who claimed there had been no socialisation regarding the irrigation project.
Jemi then attacked Charles with a piece of wood, but Charles managed to dodge. At the same moment, another resident, Leonard Asbanu, approached from behind and struck Gustaf Nabuasa on the head with a wooden stake. Gustaf collapsed and lost consciousness on the spot, after which Leonard struck him repeatedly.
‘The blow shattered his skull and caused a permanent fracture to his left arm,’ Abner stated.
Leonard then hit Charles on the head and shoulder. The assault was witnessed by a number of residents at the scene who did not intervene. Charles and Gustaf were rushed to Panite Community Health Centre, then referred to Soe Regional General Hospital, and subsequently transferred to Ben Mboi General Hospital in Kupang. Gustaf remained unconscious from the time of the attack and died while receiving medical treatment on Tuesday (9/6/2026). Charles is still undergoing treatment.
‘We hope the perpetrators are prosecuted as fairly as possible,’ Abner stressed.
TTS Police Chief AKBP Hendra Dorizen confirmed that Leonard Asbanu has been named a suspect in the alleged assault and destruction of property case in Bena Village. He has also been detained at the TTS Police Station.
‘It is already at the investigation stage. We have named and detained the suspect,’ said Hendra.