The head of Tabanan Regency has offered his condolences over the death of a man beaten by a mob after being caught allegedly stealing a chicken, and announced that local government will provide compensation to his family, as officials work to prevent the case from further destabilizing community relations across the regency.
Regent I Komang Gede Sanjaya extended condolences over the killing of KD, a man from Sidatapa Village, Banjar District, Buleleng, who died after being attacked by residents in Banjar Juwuk Legi, Batunya Village, Baturiti District, Tabanan, in the early hours of Friday, July 24, 2026.
“Losing One Life Is a Sorrow for All of Us”
“As Regent of Tabanan, and as a member of the Tabanan community, I share in this grief and offer my deepest condolences over this tragedy. Losing one life is a sorrow for all of us. Our prayers and sympathy go out to the bereaved family and everyone affected,” Sanjaya said on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
According to Sanjaya, the incident should serve as a reminder to the entire community of the importance of upholding humanitarian values, public safety, and the social harmony that has long defined Tabanan’s identity.
A Call to Trust the Legal Process
Sanjaya urged residents to remain calm and place full trust in law enforcement to handle the case. “Indonesia is a country governed by law. As a community that upholds customary values, ethics, and moral principles, let us together respect the legal process now underway,” he said.
He also asked the public to give authorities the space needed to work professionally, allowing for an outcome that is fair and consistent with applicable law.
Government Compensation for the Victim’s Family
As a demonstration of government presence and concern during the community’s time of loss, the Tabanan Regency Government has prepared compensation for the victim’s affected family as a gesture of solidarity.
Sanjaya expressed hope that Tabanan’s residents would continue to uphold unity, mutual respect, and resist being provoked by unverified information circulating about the case. “I invite all parties to work together to create a conducive atmosphere, so that the legal process can proceed properly and community life can return to a spirit of togetherness, peace, and mutual respect,” he said.
Background: A Fatal Mob Attack Over a Stolen Chicken
As previously reported, KD, a man from Sidatapa Village, Buleleng, was attacked by a crowd of residents after allegedly being caught stealing a chicken in Banjar Juwuk Legi, Batunya Village, Baturiti District, in the early hours of Friday, July 24. He was caught in the act by residents and beaten until he died at the scene. His motorbike was also set on fire during the attack.
Why This Response Matters
For a case that has already drawn national attention, including public commentary from a sitting DPD RI senator and widespread emotional reaction after a video of the victim’s grieving daughter went viral, the regent’s intervention marks a formal government response aimed at both honoring the victim’s family and containing further unrest. The combination of official condolences, financial compensation, and a direct appeal for calm signals that Tabanan’s local government is treating the case not only as a criminal matter for police to resolve, but as a moment requiring active community leadership to prevent similar vigilante incidents from recurring.
For residents and observers following the case, Sanjaya’s remarks also underscore an unresolved tension increasingly visible in the public conversation around the incident: reconciling swift, visible government compassion for the victim’s family with the slower, more complex process of holding those responsible for his death legally accountable.
