Travel Driver Detained After Being Named Suspect in Sexual Harassment Case in Sumba
A travel driver identified as Yohanes Umbu Sogara (45) has been detained immediately after being named a suspect in a sexual harassment case involving a female passenger, TTI (22). The harassment occurred inside a vehicle while Yohanes was transporting the victim to her home in Kampung Pu’u Tame, West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“Yes, he has been named a suspect and has begun detention,” stated the Head of Criminal Investigation at the South West Sumba Police, Iptu Yakobus Kokleo Sanam, on Sunday (7/6/2026).
Jack, as he is known, explained that the suspect was named following a case review on Friday (5/6). Yohanes will be held in custody for the next 20 days, and the police have seized the vehicle used in the incident as evidence.
The police are charging Yohanes under Article 414, paragraph (1), letter b of Law Number 1 of 2023 (the new Criminal Code) and Article 6, letter a of Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Crimes (TPKS).
“Intensive examinations have been conducted, and yesterday, Friday, we conducted a case review to elevate the status of the case from investigation to prosecution,” Jack explained.
The case gained public attention after a video showing the driver allegedly harassing the female passenger inside the car went viral on social media. The video, lasting 5 minutes and 10 seconds, shows the victim wearing a black t-shirt with dreadlocked hair, while the driver wears a yellow t-shirt and a black hat. Both are seen sitting side-by-side in the front of the vehicle.
The moment was recorded by the victim using her mobile phone camera. In the footage, the driver attempts to grab the woman’s right hand while asking for her name. The recording shows the driver repeatedly performing indecent acts by groping the victim’s thigh and even attempting to kiss her while laughing loudly. The victim attempted to resist the unwanted advances, and the indecent behaviour only ceased when the vehicle reached a destination and the driver exited the car, while the woman continued to record the incident silently.