A 29-year-old American man, identified by police as MD, was involved in a physical altercation with several construction workers on Jalan Pantai Suluban, Badung Regency, Bali, on Sunday (23 November) at around 9:30 a.m. WITA.
The police are conducting further examination to determine the motive behind the incident.
According to the Denpasar Police, both MD and the owner of the construction equipment, NK (a 47-year-old woman), have been questioned. The authorities are also arranging for an interpreter to assist in the investigation.
“We are still waiting for a certified translator to assist us in the process of requesting information or obtaining an interrogation report from the alleged foreign perpetrator,” said the Head of Public Relations for the Denpasar Police, AKP I Ketut Sukadi, on Monday (24 November), as reported by Kumparan.
Sequence of Events and Witness Testimony
NK told the police that the incident began on Saturday (22 November) when MD approached the construction site and allegedly poured diesel fuel on her without explanation.
She reported that MD returned the following morning and recorded her using his mobile phone while speaking in a loud tone. NK said MD then poked her cheek, prompting a reaction from nearby workers.
Sukadi explained that the language barrier contributed to tension at the scene. “The foreigner spoke in English that the victim didn’t understand and then filmed the victim with his cell phone, seemingly provoking her,” he said.
A taxi driver, MA (45), stated that he had just dropped off a passenger when he witnessed MD shouting from a hotel located behind the project site. MA said MD then approached NK and repeated the same confrontational behaviour, including poking her cheek.
Sukadi said construction workers attempted to deter MD with a piece of wood after becoming dissatisfied with his conduct.
“The workers were dissatisfied with the foreigner’s behaviour and grabbed a piece of wood to scare him away. However, the situation escalated to the point where the workers beat him with a piece of wood. Because he was outnumbered, the foreigner fled the scene,” he said.
Police reported that MD later returned carrying a sharp object resembling a machete. He allegedly struck NK, causing her to fall, and then attempted to attack the workers, who ran from the area and contacted the police.
NK sustained dizziness from a blow to the back of her neck and abrasions on her elbows and knees. MD suffered a laceration to his left ear and abrasions on both knees. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
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