Landlady Testifies: Taufik Hidayat Held Girlfriend Captive, Abused Her for 3 Years

A disturbing case has emerged in Bandung, Indonesia, where a woman, identified only by the initials YTR (29), was allegedly held captive and subjected to abuse for nearly three years by her boyfriend, Taufik Hidayat (30).

“

The door to the room Taufik Hidayat and YTR occupied was always kept shut.

According to Mulyati, the wife of the boarding house supervisor, the door to the room Hidayat and YTR occupied was always kept shut. Neighbors reported hearing loud, forceful impacts from within the room, which they now suspect were related to the abuse the victim endured.

“

He always locked it when he went out to buy rice or just for a moment. He was afraid someone might enter the boarding house.

Mulyati stated that Hidayat often left the room alone, always locking the door behind him, and provided explanations when asked about the woman. He claimed YTR had a severe vision impairment, a condition requiring surgery and significant funds, and that her family was in Java. This narrative kept residents from suspecting the severity of the situation.

“

Yes, he often talked about his partner. He said her eyes hurt and she needed surgery at the hospital. But it required BPJS and Rp10 million. He said his wife's vision was minus 17, so she couldn't see and her parents were in Java.

Despite the sounds of impact, residents never heard screams or pleas for help. Mulyati recalled hearing Hidayat cough loudly, but no sounds of distress from the victim. Hidayat, who identified himself as a debt collector from Nagreg, Bandung, was known to have a volatile temper, further contributing to the tense atmosphere.

“

I never heard screams, only the perpetrator's loud cough. He often coughed. There were no sounds of the woman or moans or requests for help. Sounds of punches or kicks against the wall were often heard.