Tomang–Jakbar stabbing victim explains the chronology of the incident

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The stabbing victim named Gunawan (33) in Jalan Tomang Mandala, Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, says he was wounded by the husband of a coworker. He was in bandages on his arm, neck and head, and said he was sleeping in his rented room when the chilling incident occurred on Wednesday night (20 May). ‘I was sleeping. He kicked the door. He kicked it. Then he slashed me with a sickle,’ Gunawan told reporters at the scene on Thursday.

According to Gunawan, there were around nine stab wounds inflicted by the attacker, causing injuries to his body, neck and head.

In pain, Gunawan tried to flee from the rented room and ran toward the main road about 100 metres away. It was there that residents filmed him and described him as a mugging victim because he was drenched in blood.

‘I tried to fight back inside the room. He stabbed me inside the room. I fought back a little; when he was distracted, I ran seeking help. But people were not brave enough, you know,’ he said.

According to Gunawan’s confession, the dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding that occurred about three months ago. The attacker’’s wife is known to have previously worked at the same restaurant as Gunawan, and their relationship was considered too close, provoking jealousy.

Before the incident, Gunawan said, the attacker had invited him to a duel. But Gunawan did not respond. ‘When the husband got jealous, he invited me to meet, to duel with me, but I did not entertain it. I had returned to my hometown for about a month,’ he said.

Long story short, when Gunawan returned to the rented room, the attacker, along with a friend, came to confront him and stabbed him. ‘One of the attackers was the husband, the coworker’‘s husband. I knew him because I had seen his photo on social media. I don’‘t know the other attacker,’ he said.

Earlier, the incident went viral on social media after a video showed the victim lying in a pool of blood. The Criminal Investigation Unit head of the Grogol Petamburan Police Sector, AKP Alexander Tengbunan, confirmed the incident, emphasising that it was not a mugging as had been widely discussed online. ‘There was indeed a stabbing incident, but not a mugging. It is a personal matter, suspected to be a romance issue, with the suspect being the husband of the victim’‘s coworker,’ Alex said in an ANTARA phone interview in Jakarta on Thursday.

The victim, Alex noted, was able to provide a statement despite multiple stab wounds to his hands and head. ‘The wounds I saw last night were on the hands and head. They were quite serious. The victim is still conscious and able to communicate, but receiving treatment for his injuries,’ he added. As of now, police have identified the suspect and are pursuing him. ‘The suspect has been identified. It will take time because this is going viral, and the suspect is becoming more wary,’ added Alex.