Update on Murder Case of Joxzin Brigade Member: Victim's Wife and Six Colleagues Questioned

The murder case of a member of the Joxzin civil organisation in Bantul, Yoga Tama Rustamaji or YTR (36) in Sedayu, Bantul, continues to be investigated. Most recently, police have questioned seven witnesses, including the victim’s wife.

Iptu Rita Hidayanto, the Head of Public Relations at Bantul Police Station, stated that an additional three witnesses had been questioned in connection with the case.

“Yesterday, three additional witnesses were questioned at Bantul Police Station. So in total, seven witnesses have now been questioned,” said Rita when contacted by detikJogja on Saturday (28 February 2026).

“So the three additional witnesses are the victim’s wife and two colleagues of the victim. These two were colleagues who had gathered at the victim’s house the night before the incident. So there were six people who gathered at the victim’s house before the incident occurred,” she added.

Killed While Asleep

Previously, police had identified four witnesses who had undergone questioning in connection with the murder case. These four individuals were known to have gathered at the victim’s house on the night before the victim was killed at his home.

The victim was killed by an unknown assailant on Wednesday (25 February) at approximately 05.30 Western Indonesian Standard Time. At that time, the victim was sleeping in the living room of his house with his wife and child.

That morning, the victim’s wife reported hearing the back door of her house open. Then an assailant appeared wearing a face covering (sebo) and immediately swung a machete at the victim who was still asleep.

On Wednesday (25 February), Iptu Rita Hidayanto, the Head of Public Relations at Bantul Police Station, stated that the victim’s wife managed to block the machete swing, sustaining injuries to three of her fingers. Meanwhile, YTR’s five-year-old child did not suffer any injuries.

“Although the witness (the victim’s wife) blocked the assailant’s swing, the machete struck the victim’s face, abdomen and fingers,” said Rita on Wednesday (25 February).

After striking YTR, the assailant immediately fled the house. Based on police and medical examination, the victim sustained wounds to his face and abdomen extending to his thigh.