Police Arrest Suspect in Assault on Jaklingko 49 Passenger on the Lebak Bulus–Cipulir Route, Pesanggrahan

Pesanggrahan Police have arrested NS, 30, the suspect in the assault of a female passenger named Berliana aboard a Jaklingko bus on the Lebak Bulus–Cipulir route. The arrest followed a video of the incident going viral on social media.

Pesanggrahan Police Station Chief, Kompol Seala Syah Alam, said the assault occurred on Thursday, 21 May 2026, on Jalan Raya Ulujami Raya in South Jakarta. The victim sustained blows to the face and was kicked by the suspect.

‘The alleged perpetrator has been secured by us, initials NS, aged 30. Based on preliminary analyses, the person has not yet been out of the Mental Hospital (RSJ) for a full year because of a history of mental illness,’ Seala told reporters on Saturday, 23 May 2026.

Although the perpetrator has a medical history of mental illness, Seala stressed that the legal process would proceed in accordance with procedures. Police are engaging the Social Service and medical teams to assess the suspect’s psychological condition objectively.

‘We are cooperating with hospital authorities to conduct clinical tests on the perpetrator. Whatever the results, we will handle the case in line with the applicable rules or procedures,’ Seala said.

The victim Berliana recounted that the incident began when the suspect boarded the Jaklingko bus from Bintaro with registration number RSG 1779. Initially NS appeared tidy, wearing jewellery, and behaved like a regular passenger as he asked for help tapping his transport card.

However, the situation rapidly escalated when the bus’s card reader malfunctioned. The suspect immediately became angry and shouted at other passengers.

Berliana tried to de-escalate the situation by explaining that the card machine was malfunctioning. The tension briefly subsided, but matters turned dire when the victim moved to assist another passenger intending to alight.

‘Suddenly I was slapped on the left side of my face for no clear reason. I was shocked and in disbelief. When I tried to film the incident on my phone, he challenged me and slapped me again about four to five times, or even kicked,’ Berliana said.

As a result of the repeated assault, Berliana chose to alight at Cipulir while trembling and immediately reported to the Pesanggrahan Police Station, also undergoing a medical examination with the Criminal Investigation Unit present.

Family apologises

Separately, NS’s parents expressed their deep apologies for their son’s violent conduct on public transport.

‘I personally apologise profusely to the victim and to those affected if my son has caused trouble for others. As a parent I am very sad; my son is physically and mentally unwell at the moment,’ said NS’s parent.