A Singaporean couple’s holiday in Bandung, Indonesia, took an unsettling turn when three teenagers harassed them on 29 December 2024.
The teenagers have since apologised.
Here’s what happened.
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Indonesian Teens Caught on Video Harassing a S’porean Couple
The incident, partially captured on the couple’s YouTube channel, showed the teenagers following the couple on Braga Street, making inappropriate gestures, and mimicking the wife, Joanna.
One of the teenagers allegedly brushed against Ms Joanna inappropriately.
A text overlay in the video claimed the individual “touched her butt,” leaving Ms Joanna visibly uncomfortable.
Despite her concerns, her husband, Darien, advised her to ignore the boys. It was only after reviewing the footage that the couple, both 26, realised the gravity of the situation.
Darien described the teenagers’ actions as “disgusting” but clarified that their behaviour did not represent all Indonesians. The video, shared on their YouTube channel, quickly gained traction, amassing over 786,000 views in just four days and sparking widespread criticism.
Teenagers Arrested and Apologise Publicly
On 3 January 2025, Bandung police arrested the three teenagers, two of whom are minors under 17.
During questioning, one teenager admitted to inappropriate behaviour, while the other two denied involvement.
The police, in a statement on 4 January, revealed that the teenagers were on their way to a football match when they encountered the couple.
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A video released on Instagram by the Bandung police showed the teenagers holding pieces of paper and publicly apologising for their actions.
View this post on Instagram
In their apology, the teenagers expressed remorse, stating: “We apologise for the incident and for our inappropriate behaviour. We are sincerely sorry to the tourist and to the citizens of Bandung.”
The Bandung Police Chief, Budi Sartono, confirmed the teenagers would undergo counselling in collaboration with local social services to address their behaviour.
Couple Seeks Positive Outcome From Incident
The couple, who requested the apology, insisted their aim was not revenge but to stand against sexual harassment.
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They urged the teenagers to address their actions publicly, apologise to them and the people of Indonesia, and outline steps to prevent a recurrence.
“This is not about revenge,” they stated on Instagram. “It is about standing up against sexual harassment, which no one, whether tourist or local, should ever have to go through.” They added, “We simply want to move on from this incident with the hope that something positive can come out of it.”
View this post on Instagram
With the couple accepting the apology, the police investigation was closed at their request.
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