West Java Governor Demands Proportionate Punishment for Woman's Captor in Bandung

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (Kang Dedi Mulyadi/KDM) has urged that Taufik Hidayat, the suspected perpetrator of the confinement and abuse of a woman with the initials YTR (29) in Bandung Regency, be punished proportionately following his arrest by the West Java Regional Police. “I hope Taufik Hidayat receives a punishment commensurate with his actions, which violated the boundaries of humanity,” Dedi said in Bandung on Tuesday evening. Dedi also expressed his appreciation to the West Java Regional Police for successfully apprehending the suspect, who was previously reported to be in the Majalaya area. “On behalf of the people of West Java, humanity, law enforcement, and conscience, we extend our highest gratitude and appreciation to the West Java Police Chief and all ranks who swiftly arrested the perpetrator,” he stated. In a video circulated after the arrest, Taufik was seen inside a police vehicle and appeared cooperative when investigators asked for initial information. Taufik is currently at the West Java Regional Police headquarters and is undergoing further examination. As of the writing of this report, investigators are still probing his statements. The case came to light after the victim’s family received a WhatsApp message from an unknown person informing them that the victim was in the Emergency Room of Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) in Bandung. According to the Head of Public Relations of the West Java Regional Police, Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan, when found, the victim had severe injuries to her head, face, and legs, as well as wounds on her hands. Prior to being discovered, the victim had been unreachable and her whereabouts unknown to her family for approximately three years. During that period, the victim is believed to have suffered repeated abuse using hands, blunt objects, and sharp weapons. In addition, a number of the victim’s belongings were allegedly taken by the perpetrator. Hendra stated that the post-mortem report showed the victim sustained serious injuries to her face and eyes. “It is confirmed that based on the post-mortem results, both of her eyes are blind. Then, six of her upper front teeth fell out and her lips are cleft,” Hendra said.