DistantNews
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

BPK Member Haerul Saleh Dies in House Fire at Age 44

From Tempo · (7m ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Haerul Saleh, a member of the Indonesian Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), died at the age of 44 in a house fire in South Jakarta.
  • The fire is suspected to have originated from leftover thinner used during home renovations.
  • Saleh, who was a former member of the House of Representatives, was the only fatality in the incident, with his wife and child surviving.

Indonesia mourns the loss of Haerul Saleh, a respected member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and a former legislator, who tragically passed away at the age of 44. The incident occurred on Friday, May 8, 2026, when a fire engulfed his residence in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. The news was confirmed by the BPK, which extended its condolences to Saleh's family, praying for his soul and for strength for his loved ones during this difficult time.

The chronology of the fire, as detailed by the Head of the South Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service, Asril Rizal, indicates that the blaze was reported around 7:53 AM. Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the third floor of the house, which is suspected to have started from residual thinner used in renovations. The local community quickly alerted the fire department, who responded to the scene. The house was occupied by seven individuals from a single household.

May the deceased receive the best place by His side, and may the bereaved family be given fortitude and strength.

— Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan (BPK)The official statement from the Supreme Audit Agency mourning the death of Haerul Saleh.

Haerul Saleh, affectionately known as Aco, was a prominent figure in Indonesian public service. He served as a member of the BPK's IV division since April 2022. Prior to his role at the BPK, Saleh had a significant career in politics, serving as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) for the Gerindra Party from 2014 to 2019, and again through a by-election from 2020 to 2022. His legislative work primarily focused on finance and legislation within Commission XI.

Saleh's educational background included law studies at Universitas Satria Makassar and ongoing postgraduate studies in Management at Universitas Moestopo. His early life was marked by active involvement in various organizations, including the Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in Southeast Sulawesi. His passing is a significant loss, not only to his family and the BPK but also to the broader Indonesian public service sector. The investigation into the cause of the fire continues, but the focus remains on honoring Saleh's contributions and remembering his service to the nation.

It is suspected that the fire originated from leftover thinner from home renovations.

— Asril Rizal, Head of South Jakarta Fire and Rescue ServiceExplaining the preliminary findings on the cause of the house fire.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog