Gunungkidul Couple Caught Cheating During Neighbourhood Meeting Sanctioned to Build Road

A couple in Ngloro, Saptosari, Gunungkidul, were caught cheating. Residents who caught them imposed an unusual punishment: they were sanctioned to buy building materials for the neighbourhood road construction.

Cheating During Residents’ Meeting

Jogoboyo (Security Section) of Ngloro Sub-district, Aris Setyawan, revealed that it began when residents held a neighbourhood meeting at the end of April. At that time, one of the meeting participants, a man with initials P, left the location.

“Ten minutes later, a woman with initials S followed him out. S is already married,” he said when contacted by reporters on Monday (4/5/2026).

Residents grew suspicious because the two did not immediately return to the meeting room. So, the community decided to search for P and S.

“When searched at his house, P was not there, then residents continued the search to S’s house and found them there,” said Aris.

Residents then waited for the two to come out of the house. After waiting quite a while, the pair emerged from S’s house.

“Residents waited for up to an hour, and finally the two came out of the house,” he stated.

Subsequently, residents secured the pair and brought them to the local neighbourhood head’s house. As a result, the two admitted to having an illicit relationship.

Sanctioned to Buy Sand and Cement

Based on deliberations, Aris explained, residents agreed to impose a punishment where the pair must buy a quantity of sand and cement. The materials were used to build the neighbourhood road.

“Finally, after deliberations, residents agreed to impose a social sanction of 10 truckloads of sand and 200 sacks of cement for the neighbourhood road construction,” he said.

According to Aris, the sanction is intended to create a deterrent effect for the pair. Additionally, to keep the atmosphere conducive and prevent the issue from dragging on.

“The main purpose of the agreement is to create a deterrent effect while maintaining environmental harmony. The important thing is that residents remain harmonious, the problem is resolved, and it does not drag on,” he said.

Reasons Why the Cheating Couple Was Sanctioned to Buy Materials for Road Building

Acting Head of Karangnongko Hamlet, Mukardi, stated that he was present at the deliberations. He explained why the couple was fined to buy cement and sand.

“I was only bridging to prevent any unrest. We also suggested that the sanction should not be too heavy if possible,” he said.

Therefore, residents agreed that the cheating couple must build the neighbourhood road. According to him, all of this is to provide a deterrent effect and prevent similar incidents from recurring.

“For the sanction issue, it’s a community agreement, and the core is to give a deterrent effect so that such incidents do not happen again,” he said.

Mukardi denied that the sanction was opportunistic. Because the road in the couple’s neighbourhood is indeed badly damaged.

“The road in that neighbourhood is severely damaged,” he said.

Mukardi stated that the couple has carried out the sanction from the residents. Even the work has started since Sunday (3/5).

“It has been carried out, just two days ago the work started,” he said.

The same statement was also voiced by Jogoboyo (Security Section) of Ngloro Sub-district, Aris Setyawan.

Aris said that P and S have fulfilled their punishment by buying building materials. Currently, the road construction is also completed.

“It has been (carried out by P and S), and it is already finished at the neighbourhood level,” he said.