Police Say Suspects in Mataram Machete Attack Had Been Drinking

Police have revealed the alleged motive and roles of those involved in a machete attack on Udayana Street in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, which resulted in the death of a student. The suspects are said to have carried out the attack while under the influence of alcohol.

Mataram Police Chief Hendro Purwoko said the attack, involving bladed weapons, took place at about 4.30am local time on Sunday (25 October). He said the suspects had gathered at a food stall on Udayana Street and been drinking arak since Saturday night (24 October).

“They were already carrying bladed weapons at the time,” Hendro said on Wednesday (28 October 2026).

Hendro said the suspects had a dispute with a group from the Pagutan area of Mataram. After drinking, the group of teenagers rode in a convoy through the streets carrying bladed weapons.

“At 3am, the suspects and their friends rode in a convoy towards Punia, Pagutan and Jalan Lingkar, before returning to Udayana Street,” Hendro added.

When they arrived on Udayana Street, the suspects saw the victim riding past on a motorbike. They reportedly felt provoked after the victim swung a metal bar, producing sparks.

“The suspect felt challenged, then chased the victim and swung a corbek-type bladed weapon at him. The victim managed to avoid the blow,” Hendro said.

“However, the victim fell off his motorbike. Seeing this, another suspect swung a bladed weapon at him again, but struck the victim’s motorbike. The suspects left the victim after seeing blood at the scene,” he added.

Police initially arrested 15 people suspected of involvement in the attack. Following a case review, they named 13 suspects: MA (16), IR (17), ZA (17), KA (16), SH (16), JN (16), DS (14), GS (17), MI (15), RP (17), RF (18), YH (19) and SR (18).

Hendro said the suspects had different roles, including joining the convoy, chasing the victim while carrying bladed weapons, and attacking him with a machete.

“The motive for the suspects’ assault on the victim was that they felt offended, and at the time of the incident they were under the influence of alcohol,” Hendro added.

Three people were victims of the attack on Udayana Street in Mataram. Fahmi Abdurrachman Heyder (14) and Muhammad Gilang Hidayat (16) were injured. The third victim, Muhammad Gibran Anugrah Aditya (14), died after receiving treatment at Mataram City Regional General Hospital.