Village Chief in Bima Removes Shirt and Challenges Students to Duel During Protest
A video of village chief (Kades) Budi of Wadu Kopa, Soromandi District, Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), challenging students to fight during a demonstration went viral on social media. In the recording, Budi is seen removing his shirt and speaking emotionally.
The incident occurred when students staged a demonstration outside Wadu Kopa Village Office on Monday, 9 March 2026. The protest concerned alleged embezzlement of funds from the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes).
“It happened this morning when we staged a demonstration outside the Wadu Kopa Village Government Office,” said protest coordinator Izul to detikBali on Monday, 9 March 2026.
Izul explained that initially he and several students protested, taking turns delivering speeches regarding the alleged embezzlement of BUMDes funds. Shortly thereafter, Budi emerged from the village office and approached the demonstrating crowd.
According to Izul, the situation escalated when Budi directed challenging remarks at the students.
“The village chief also choked one of our colleagues because he could not accept being protested regarding the alleged embezzlement of BUMDes funds,” he said.
Students Had Protested Three Times Previously
Izul believed Budi’s anger was triggered by his refusal to accept repeated protests. He noted that students had staged demonstrations three times previously with similar demands, questioning alleged irregularities in the management of Wadu Kopa BUMDes funds totalling tens of millions of rupiah.
“Previous demonstrations proceeded smoothly. The village chief and Wadukopa village officials were also willing to return the BUMDes funds that were borrowed,” he said.
However, according to Izul, the fund return was deemed irregular. To date, Wadu Kopa BUMDes operations are also said not to be running in accordance with the agreement.
Yet in 2025, BUMDes received an additional 50 million rupiah for outlet development.
“Because of this irregularity, we staged another demonstration today. However, the village chief instead showed an arrogant attitude, challenging students to fight and removing his shirt,” he explained.
In the video obtained by detikBali, Budi is initially seen running towards the crowd of demonstrating students. Several people subsequently attempted to restrain him.
Shortly thereafter, Budi removed the khaki shirt he was wearing and challenged the students to a duel.
In the video, Budi is also seen pointing towards the students whilst stating that the protestors were disrespectful and that the money was not the students’ parents’ money.
To date, Budi has not provided an explanation regarding the incident. When contacted for comment by detikBali, he did not respond.