Outcry Over Viral Video of Travel Driver Harassing Passenger in Southwest Sumba

A viral video showing a travel driver allegedly harassing a female passenger in his vehicle during a journey has sparked widespread public outrage. The incident occurred as the driver was transporting the woman to her home in Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The 5-minute, 10-second video shows the woman, wearing a black shirt with her hair in dreadlocks, seated next to the driver, who is dressed in a yellow shirt and black cap, in the front of the car. The man is heard saying, ‘Speak only when I ask you to speak.’ The passenger recorded the encounter on her mobile phone. Shortly after, the driver attempted to grab her right hand while asking for her name, to which she replied, ‘Esi.’ In the recording, the driver repeatedly acted indecently by groping the woman’s thigh and is seen kissing the victim, laughing uproariously. The woman continuously resisted his advances. The assault only ceased when they arrived at a location and the driver exited the vehicle, while the woman continued to film in silence. Head of Criminal Investigation for the Southwest Sumba Resort Police, First Inspector Yakobus Kokleo Sanam, confirmed the harassment seen in the viral video. He stated the case is being handled by the Women and Children Protection Unit after the victim filed a formal police report on Wednesday. ‘Yes, and a police report has been lodged. It is being handled by our colleagues in the PPA Unit,’ he said. He explained that the incident occurred on Wednesday and that the unit is conducting intensive examinations of witnesses, the victim, and the reported suspect. Police have also arrested the driver. ‘The subject of the report has been secured. We are moving quickly and will soon hold a case conference to determine a change in handling status from preliminary inquiry to full investigation,’ he explained. The East Sumba Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Gede Harimbawa, identified the victim as 22-year-old Theresia Tamo Inna from Pu’u Tame Hamlet, Wee Rena Village, Kota Tambolaka District, Southwest Sumba. The driver was identified as 45-year-old Yohanes Umbu Sogara, a resident of Kambajawa Subdistrict, Kota Waingapu District, East Sumba Regency. Harimbawa noted that while the identities were as reported, the official complaint was lodged with the Southwest Sumba Resort Police.