JAKARTA: National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo has pledged a thorough investigation into the death of Foreign Ministry employee Arya Daru Pangayunan, whose body was found earlier this week at a rooming house in Gondangdia, Central Jakarta.
“The investigation is ongoing and will be pursued in detail,” Listyo said on Friday (July 11), as quoted by state news agency Antara. He added that the Jakarta Police were currently handling the case, supported by the Menteng Police precinct where the body was discovered.
Separately, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Karyoto said that investigators expected the case to be resolved within a week. “All the evidence, CCTV, forensic medical findings and digital traces, is being analysed. Hopefully, in about a week we will have conclusions,” he said on Friday.
Arya, 39, was a junior diplomat at the Foreign Ministry, specialising in the protection of Indonesian citizens abroad. His death has raised questions, particularly due to the circumstances in which he was found.
The police reported that Arya was discovered in his rented room on Jl. Gondangdia Kecil on Tuesday morning. His head was covered with duct tape, but investigators found no signs of external injuries or missing personal belongings, and the room was locked from the inside.
Menteng Police chief Commr. Rezha Rahandhi said at the time the police could not rule out a potential murder, even though there were no immediate signs of forced entry or damage at the scene, nor signs of physical violence.
Arya’s body has been taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for further examination. An autopsy is under consideration, pending the family's consent.
As of Friday, the cause of death had yet to be officially determined, even as police continued a comprehensive probe using all available forensic and witness leads.
House of Representatives lawmaker Sarifah Ainun Jariyah issued a statement on Thursday calling for a thorough probe into the diplomat’s “unnatural death”. “Police must solve this case immediately,” Sarifah asserted.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Rolliansyah “Roy” Soemirat said late on Thursday that the ministry continued to monitor the situation closely and expressed condolences to Arya’s family.
“In light of the widespread media coverage of the passing of our colleague Daru, I wish to reiterate what we conveyed on July 8. The Foreign Minister and the entire Foreign Ministry community extend our deepest condolences to the family,” Roy said in a written statement.
“We leave the matter entirely to law enforcement, who are continuing their investigation.” Arya’s death was first discovered when his wife, who had last spoken to him around 9 p.m. on Monday, failed to reach him the next morning.
Concerned, she asked staff at the rooming house to check on him. After receiving no response, they entered the room and found his body. The police have questioned several witnesses and collected CCTV footage from the area. Arya was originally from Sleman regency, Jogjakarta. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
