Timorese man slashes girlfriend with machete in Kupang over mobile credit dispute
A 24-year-old Timorese man, identified as DDS, slashed his girlfriend, GVD (24), twice with a machete after she refused to provide additional money for mobile credit. The attack occurred at Puri Rahayu Housing Estate in Noelbaki Village, Kupang Tengah District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Kupang Police Residency’s Public Relations Head, Ipda Lalu Randy Hidayat, told detikBali on Friday, 29 May 2026.
Randy explained the tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, around 11 PM WITA, when GVD was cutting meat in the kitchen. DDS was sitting beside her, consuming a local alcoholic drink called moke.
DDS then asked GVD for money to buy mobile credit. She agreed but only gave him Rp 50,000, which the Liquica district native from Timor Leste found insufficient, causing him to become angry.
DDS then demanded more money, but GVD refused, citing the need to save as neither had steady jobs. Her refusal provoked DDS, who hurled abusive language, causing GVD to become hysterical.
“Feeling disturbed by the victim’s crying, the suspect took a machete and struck her with the hilt,” Randy said.
According to Randy, GVD fought back by biting DDS’s hand in self-defence. The bite enraged DDS, who then slashed her head once.
DDS then tried to flee, but as he was leaving the house, GVD attempted to hold him by hugging. However, DDS insisted and walked away.
At the same time, he slashed GVD again at the front door. Fortunately, she blocked it with her left hand, resulting in severe injuries to her left arm.
“Seeing the victim bleeding, the suspect pushed her into the room and locked her out from the outside,” Randy said.
Feeling threatened, Randy continued, GVD jumped out of the window to escape. She then ran to seek help from residents in the housing estate.
Residents took the woman to Leona Noelbaki Hospital for medical treatment due to her injuries. GVD and several residents immediately reported the incident to Kupang Tengah Police Station for legal proceedings.
“The suspect has been detained and will be processed according to Indonesian law,” Randy explained.