Elan Suherlan, Jakarta – A district legislative council member in Subang, West Java, allegedly has ordered his associates to demolish paved roads and roadside drainage canals upon learning of his defeat in the Feb. 14 election.
Ahmad Rizal, a councilor representing the National Democratic Party (Nasdem), is also accused of terrorizing villagers by setting off large firecrackers in areas where he faced significant losses.
The aftermath of the firecracker attacks left at least nine people, including children and the elderly, requiring treatment for symptoms such as dizziness, temporary hearing loss, and heart arrhythmia earlier this week.
Dayeh, a 60-year-old grandmother with pre-existing heart problems, died on Saturday after being hospitalized following the firecracker attacks near her home in Tambak Jati village. Although her relatives attribute her death to the firecracker assault, local police have not confirmed this link.
"She had been previously diagnosed with heart problems. Her condition worsened upon hearing very loud bangs from the firecrackers, and she was taken to the hospital that evening," a neighbor identified as Daspin said.
When a group of journalists visited Rizal's home in Subang for clarification, the councilor was notably absent.
His men destroyed paved roads and drainage canals that were built during his tenure in the Subang council but a villager said the infrastructure was built using the regency budget, not his personal donation.
"It's true they were built under his supervision, but the funding came from the government budget, not his pocket. He is losing the election now, and the roads were destroyed," said a villager named Ato.
Additionally, several individuals on motorcycles arrived in the village and set off large-sized firecrackers at intersections and a mosque on Feb. 19, adding to the chaos caused by the defeated councilor.