Batam woman accuses sub-district chief of misconduct after parking dispute ends in damage
A disturbing incident in Batam has put a local government official under fire after a woman accused him of deflating her car tires without warning, triggering strong reactions from the public.
Midnight Dispute Leads to Damaged Car
On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at around midnight, a woman named Caca parked her car neatly in a residential neighborhood in Happy Valley, Nagoya, Batam. The spot was near the residence of Randy Rumadi Putra, the acting Lurah (Sub-District Head) of Bengkong Indah. According to Caca, her vehicle did not block the garage or access points to any home, yet both front and rear tires were later found completely deflated.
“There was no warning, no notice. Just deflated tires because I parked near his house,” Caca told the press.
Faced with no nearby open repair shops at that hour, Caca and a female companion were forced to drive the vehicle with flat tires—causing severe damage that required costly replacements.
No Help from the Official
Despite being a public official, Lurah Randy offered no assistance to the two distressed women. Instead, it was a concerned local resident who stepped in to help. “We were two women alone in the dark. I was crying but too embarrassed to post the video,” Caca said.
The lack of empathy from a community leader ignited backlash online, where residents and netizens questioned the ethical conduct and accountability of local authorities.
Official Response: “It Was a Deterrent”
When asked to clarify his actions, Randy confirmed his involvement. He said he resorted to deflating the tires because the car had been parked in what he described as a frequently misused area in front of his residence.
“I asked all my neighbors. No one claimed the car. Since this keeps happening, I needed to set an example,” Randy explained, defending his actions as a “community member” rather than in his capacity as lurah.
He admitted to a confrontation with the car owner around midnight and noted that a pump was available if the issue had been handled calmly.
Recurring Conflict and Community Tension
According to Randy, repeated unauthorized parking had become a source of frustration for him and the local security guards. He claimed the parking space had been constructed by him and regularly used without consent. His decision to “send a message” was not the first of its kind, highlighting ongoing tensions in the area.
Randy stated he had made efforts to identify the owner of the car by asking neighbors up to 10:00 PM, but when no one responded, he felt compelled to act.
Promises of Mediation
Randy has since promised to mediate with the car owner, though he is currently on extended leave and will return to Batam on July 2. He stopped short of issuing a public apology, adding further fuel to criticism over his handling of the situation.
His justification—that it was late at night and that he acted as a private citizen—has not satisfied the public, many of whom believe a civil servant should embody higher standards of professionalism and empathy.
This incident has triggered widespread discussions across Batam and beyond about the behavior of public officials and their responsibility to resolve community issues with fairness and tact. As city populations grow and urban space becomes more contested, how leaders respond to such everyday conflicts reflects the integrity of public service across Indonesia and neighboring regions such as Singapore.
Sources: Batam News Online (2025) , Bacasaja.id (2025)
Keywords: Randy Rumadi Putra, Batam Official, Bengkong Indah Lurah, Car Tire Deflation, Public Complaint, Parking Dispute
