Police Reveal Motive for Man Colik Murder: Petong Felt Humiliated on Social Media
Klungkung Police have disclosed the initial motive behind the murder of I Nyoman Cita (50), also known as Man Colik, a resident of Klungkung, Bali. The perpetrator, Agus Novit Pramana Putra alias Petong, killed the victim because he felt resentful after being insulted by the victim’s remarks on social media.
“The motive is that the perpetrator was deeply hurt by the victim’s words on social media, which offended and degraded the perpetrator’s dignity and self-worth,” said Klungkung Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head AKP Reno Chandra Wibowo at the Klungkung Police Headquarters on Friday (17/7/2026).
Police have not yet explained the time frame between the victim’s social media remarks and the murder. They have also not disclosed the specific statements that allegedly drove the perpetrator to kill the victim. Reno stated that his team is still investigating the content of the remarks that triggered the perpetrator. “We cannot yet disclose the exact words that caused the hurt. We are currently conducting an in-depth investigation,” Reno explained.
Reno detailed that at the time of the incident, the victim had invited the perpetrator to bathe at the crime scene. The two were together at the river before Agus stabbed Man Colik four times with a knife. Police suspect there was an element of premeditation, as the perpetrator had brought a knife when he followed the victim’s invitation to the river. “Yes, we will investigate further. We will determine whether this constitutes a premeditated act,” Reno clarified.
In addition to the suspicion of premeditated murder, police are also investigating an alleged violent theft, as the perpetrator took the victim’s gold necklace. Petong was arrested at his boarding house on Jalan Mahendradata Selatan, West Denpasar, in the early hours of Friday (17/7/2026). The arrest was carried out by a joint team from the Klungkung Police Criminal Investigation Unit and the Bali Regional Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate.
Following his arrest, Petong was taken to locate evidence, specifically the knife used to kill Man Colik. Police have now secured the knife. In addition to the knife, police also confiscated a mobile phone, sandals, the victim’s underwear, and the trousers worn by the perpetrator during the incident. Meanwhile, the shirt and trousers worn by the victim at the time of the incident are still being sought.
The Klungkung Police Criminal Investigation Unit will conduct forensic laboratory tests on the recovered knife. Police will also hold a case conference, carry out a reconstruction, and deepen the investigation. The case is being uncovered through Scientific Crime Investigation using digital forensic methods.
Man Colik was previously found dead floating in the Bubuh River on the morning of Thursday (2/7/2026). The middle-aged man had been reported missing after going to bathe in the river on Wednesday (1/7/2026) evening. The body was found face down on the south side of the Bypass bridge, near the Klungkung KPU office, at around 7.30 a.m. local time. Police subsequently discovered several lacerations on the body, indicating suspected violent assault.