September 10, 2025 | 07:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An environmental activist who has been advocating against geothermal development in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) was found dead in a hut in Sikusama, Tonggo Village, Nagekeo Regency, NTT. Several of Vian's—his nickname—friends noted various oddities behind his death.
Vian's body was first discovered by local residents on Friday, September 5, 2025. Shortly after, the police arrived at the scene and took the activist's body for examination by a doctor at the nearest public health center (puskesmas).
It was reported that Vian could not be reached by family or friends for two days before he was found. "We've lost contact from Wednesday to Thursday," said a representative of the Youth Coalition for Climate Change (KOPI Coalition), Efraim Mbomba Reda, in a written statement.
Vian's family then reported his death to the Nangaroro Police Station on Sunday, September 7, 2025, and authorities started interviewing witnesses and inspecting the crime scene the next day.
Efraim mentioned that some of the environmental activist's friends did notice a change in Vian's behavior in the days leading up to his death.
"But no one who knew Vian believes he committed suicide," said Efraim, while urging the police to thoroughly investigate the cause of Vian's death.
"This case must be transparently investigated in accordance with appropriate procedure," said Efraim.
The news of Vian's death was previously confirmed by a fellow activist, Magdalena Eda Tukan. "Yes, a member of the organization in Nagekeo Regency was found dead, entangled in a rope," Eda told Tempo on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Eda could not yet conclude the suspected cause of the young activist's death, as she had only just received the news and had not delved into it.
"We got the news this morning, and we have yet to understand the exact cause of his death until now," said Eda.
Based on photos circulating on Facebook and WhatsApp, Vian was found dead hanging in a bamboo hut. A rope was tied around his neck, but his feet were touching the bamboo floor of the hut. The victim's body appeared to be swollen.
A black bag lay directly beneath the victim's feet, and a mobile phone was found not far from the body. Additionally, a black helmet and a Honda CRF motorcycle were also found outside the hut based on circulated photos on social media.
Rudolfus Oktavianus Ruma was known as an environmental activist who opposed the presence of the Geothermal project in Flores, NTT. He was actively campaigning against the project, which was considered harmful to the environment and caused indigenous communities to lose their land.
Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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