Victim of Taufik Hidayat: 'Let Him Feel What I Felt'

Taufik Hidayat, the perpetrator of the confinement of a woman in Bandung, has been arrested by the police. YTR was held captive and tortured by Taufik for three years. The victim’s family is demanding that the suspect be punished as severely as possible. YTR is currently undergoing intensive care at Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) in Bandung, and her condition has begun to improve. The victim’s lawyer, Januar Solehuddin, said the victim and her family were enthusiastic about the news of the arrest, but the family still harbours feelings of anger over the suspect’s sadistic actions. ‘At first, they were actually angry and upset. But they are also grateful, alhamdulillah, that he was arrested,’ Januar said. Januar stated that the victim is now in a different condition compared to when she first arrived at the hospital on 10 June. ‘Alhamdulillah, she can now speak, albeit in a limited way. Initially, some things were unclear, but now her condition is very clear and has improved, alhamdulillah,’ he explained. ‘They want true justice, meaning he should be punished as severely as possible,’ he added. Happy news was also shared by the victim’s family. The victim’s aunt, Erni Heryadi, recounted that the victim is now willing to eat her favourite food. ‘Her condition is good. The first thing she asked for was chicken noodles. Chicken noodles are not a luxury, maybe she didn’t get to taste them while being held captive. I even spoon-fed her,’ Erni said. Erni mentioned that although YTR has a visual impairment, she remains independent. This was evident when Erni tried to feed her, but YTR wanted to eat by herself despite being ill. ‘I spoon-fed her, but her hands moved as if she wanted to eat on her own,’ she said. Erni also conveyed that YTR’s eyesight is currently non-functional due to the severe abuse. ‘According to the doctor, the right eye is damaged. Her eyes were already myopic with thick glasses, but even without glasses her vision was poor. Now the pupil of her left eye has shrunk,’ she said. In an Instagram post by Erni, YTR expressed her response to being free from Taufik. YTR thanked all parties, especially the West Java Regional Police for arresting Taufik. ‘Alhamdulillah, I am very happy. Thank you to the Police Chief for helping me. I am happy again and calmer now that he has been arrested,’ YTR said when asked about her hopes by her aunt. YTR wants Taufik to receive a heavy sentence. ‘I want him to be punished as severely as possible, let him feel what I felt,’ she said. Meanwhile, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has decided the fate of the Rp 250 million bounty for finding Taufik Hidayat. Dedi decided the bounty money will be handed over to YTR. ‘We announce that the bounty for whoever found the perpetrator of the barbaric acts against Vita, Taufik Hidayat, would be given Rp 250 million. The bounty period has ended and the criminal was arrested by the West Java Regional Police,’ Dedi said. Dedi confirmed the Rp 250 million will be given to the victim in the form of a deposit. This was done after he coordinated with West Java Police Chief Inspector General Rudi Setiawan. The coordination was carried out because Taufik Hidayat was arrested by a joint team from the West Java Regional Police. Therefore, he decided to hand over the Rp 250 million bounty to the victim. ‘Furthermore, I have coordinated with the West Java Police Chief, and the Chief suggested the Rp 250 million be handed over to the victim’s family. I am handing it over and a deposit certificate worth Rp 250 million has been made,’ he said. According to him, the deposit will be handed over directly to the victim’s family on 1 July 2026, coinciding with Bhayangkara Day. ‘Subsequently, on 1 July 2026, together with Bhayangkara Day, we will hand over the Bank Jabar deposit certificate worth Rp 250 million,’ Dedi said.