Mystery Surrounds Origin of Two Tracking Devices Found on Ex-UGM Student Leader's Car

Two tracking devices were found on a car borrowed by former Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Student Executive Body (BEM) chairman Tiyo Ardianto. The identity of those who planted the devices remains a mystery. The Yogyakarta Regional Police (Polda DIY) have invited Tiyo to file an official report so that police can launch an investigation.

Tiyo Ardianto stated he discovered the two tracking devices on his sibling’s car, which had been lent to him. The devices were found in two different locations within a short timeframe. The first device, box-shaped, was found by Tiyo under the car’s chassis after he returned from attending a protest at the Gejayan intersection on Saturday (13/6). The second device, flat and circular, was discovered on the rear tyre during a journey to Semarang airport on Sunday (14/6).

“It turns out that this tracking device had been with me since Friday night, 12 June 2026,” Tiyo said when contacted by journalists on Monday (15/6/2026).

Tiyo recounted the chronology of the discovery. Initially, on Friday (12/6) afternoon, he departed from Kudus to Semarang and arrived at the Cordova Hotel in Tembalang around 19.00 WIB after being stuck in traffic. He admitted to stopping to eat during the journey. On Saturday (13/6) morning, Tiyo attended a discussion at the Central Java Quality Assurance Agency organised by Muhammadiyah University of Semarang. During the event, he felt he was being watched by several unknown individuals. “There, I noticed a few unknown people who were following and clearly photographing me, including when I was walking. I took that as a sign that I was indeed being monitored,” he said.

The event concluded around 12.30 WIB, and Tiyo immediately departed for Yogyakarta to participate in a protest at Gejayan, Sleman. “Throughout the journey from Semarang to Yogyakarta, the notification actually appeared several times, but I ignored it. I didn’t consider it important as I was driving,” he explained. After the Gejayan event ended on Saturday (13/6) evening, around 20.00-21.00 WIB, the notification reappeared. This time, Tiyo decided to check it. “The notification appeared again and I immediately checked it. I found a box-shaped device with a magnet attached to the back of the car body,” he said. “I took it and after consulting several people, I was told to soak it in water, so I soaked it overnight.”

The following day, during a journey to Semarang on Sunday (14/6) afternoon, Tiyo again received a notification that the device was still moving with him. Initially, he assumed the device had not been deactivated despite being soaked in water. “So I ignored it, thinking it was nothing. But then I transferred the device via a friend in Semarang,” he said. After the device was moved, he headed to the airport, but the notification persisted. He then conducted another thorough search of every corner of the vehicle. “We searched again and found another device, this time a flat circular one, taped with black duct tape to the right rear tyre,” he revealed.

The discovery of the second device heightened Tiyo’s anxiety. He admitted he did not know whether the two objects were different devices planted at separate times or if they were connected. “This made my heart race even more because I don’t know if these are two different devices planted at different times or if the second device is linked to the first,” he said.

Tiyo suspects the first tracking device was planted in Yogyakarta because it was found in a clean condition. “The first device I found was not dirty at all. That might indicate it was newly installed when I was in Yogyakarta,” he explained. “Because it rained several times during the journey from Semarang to Yogyakarta, so if it wasn’t dirty, it was likely just installed.” Meanwhile, the device found on the tyre was confirmed via the PBX Finder on his mobile phone to have been active since Friday (12/6). “I checked and it turns out the device had been installed since Friday night, 12 June. And it was first checked by the owner of the device at 19.55 WIB, when I was still at the Cordova Hotel in Tembalang,” he disclosed.

Tiyo admitted he did not fully understand what the devices were, how they worked, or how the notification appeared. “I only learned about it after the notification appeared,” he said. He stated that the discovery further confirmed he was indeed being monitored. “I think that is precisely where the terror lies. That this was deliberately installed for me to discover, to serve as an alarm that wherever I go, there are people who know, there are people watching,” he remarked.

Following the incident, Tiyo is considering filing a report. “I am currently considering reporting it to the police while conducting an independent investigation,” Tiyo said when contacted by journalists on Monday (15/6/2026). Separately, the Head of Public Relations of Polda DIY, Commissioner Ihsan, confirmed that as of now, the police have not received an official report regarding the incident. “Regarding this information, we can confirm that Polda DIY has not yet received an official report from the concerned party,” Ihsan said. Nevertheless, he mentioned that officers in the field continue to monitor and gather preliminary information to maintain public order and security. “We invite Mr Tiyo or the aggrieved party to immediately file an official report with Polda DIY. The report is crucial as a legal basis for us to conduct a procedural, objective, and thorough investigation,” he stated.