Jembrana Resident's Throat Slashed by Dangling WiFi Cable, Vocal Cords Torn
The tangled state of internet network cabling in Jembrana, Bali, has claimed another victim. A man from Banyubiru Village, Negara District, with the initials HRS (20), suffered serious neck injuries after being caught by a WiFi provider cable dangling over the public road.
HRS had to undergo major surgery at Prof Ngoerah Central General Hospital (RSUP) in Denpasar. Tragically, unable to bear the general treatment costs of Rp 45 million, the victim’s identity card (KTP) is still being held by the hospital.
The Chairman of Commission II of the Jembrana Regional Representative Council (DPRD), I Ketut Suastika, also known as Cohok, said the incident of the resident being snared by a provider cable occurred about two months ago. This came to light after he received a direct report from the victim.
“This morning we checked the location together with the relevant agencies and the victim. The victim suffered severe neck injuries that tore his vocal cords. To this day he still has hospital debts of up to Rp 45 million,” Cohok said when contacted by detikBali on Friday (24/7/2026).
Cohok explained that the incident occurred on the national road west of State Junior Secondary School (SMPN) 2 Melaya. HRS reported it to the local police station at the time, but the case was never handled by police. As a result, the victim’s BPJS Kesehatan claim could not be processed, forcing him to use the general patient route.
“Next week the victim must undergo another operation. The cable that ensnared him was of the I Porte type. To this day the cable is still in the gutter, cut by local residents fearing further victims,” Cohok explained.
HRS approached Cohok and the Head of the Jembrana Communications and Informatics Office (Diskominfo) because he was at a loss over how to pay for the follow-up surgery. The victim also lodged another report with the Jembrana Police Resort after his case went unhandled by the local police station.
Cohok stressed that the main concern is not only the victim’s medical cost burden, but also the proliferation of provider cables installed carelessly, endangering road users.
“I urge residents who find dangling or dangerous cables to report them immediately to the village government or the relevant parties so they can be followed up promptly,” Cohok asserted.
Cohok also lamented the lack of goodwill and responsibility from the provider. In fact, the Jembrana Regency Government has repeatedly sent letters urging proper arrangement of the cables. In response, the Jembrana DPRD is preparing a regional regulation (perda) to bring order to network cable utilities.
“If this is not promptly disciplined and public safety continues to be ignored, we will coordinate with law enforcement,” said Cohok.
The Head of Jembrana Diskominfo, I Made Cipta Wahyudi, acknowledged there is not yet a specific rule binding providers in the regency.
“When problems arise, Kominfo is always the one being sought out. Yet there is no regulation obliging providers to seek permission from Kominfo when installing internet networks,” Cipta explained.
Jembrana Diskominfo is currently drafting initial rules in the form of a circular letter (SE) and is re-registering all providers and the utility poles in operation.
Regarding the incident that befell the resident, Cipta confirmed his team has gone directly to the location in the Melaya area to survey and trace the cable’s owner.
“We have sent a letter to the provider concerned and are currently coordinating with the Public Works and Housing Office (Dinas PUPR) to verify the legality of the pole installation. The team is still conducting checks on the provider involved,” Cipta explained.