Police say guide ignored climbing ban and failed to coordinate with volcano post before fatal May 8 trek.
Indonesian authorities have named mountain guide Reza Selang a criminal suspect for alleged negligence over a Mount Dukono hike that ended in the deaths of three climbers, including two Singaporeans, after a sudden eruption.
Guide Charged Under Indonesian Criminal Code
North Halmahera police have named 35-year-old guide Reza Selang as a suspect for “negligence that results in the death of another person” under Article 474 of Indonesia’s new Criminal Code. The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 500 million rupiah (approx. S$36,000). Police chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed the suspect designation to The Straits Times on May 21, saying that Reza has not been detained yet but that his custodial status could change depending on his level of cooperation.
Fatal Hike On An Active Volcano
Reza led a team of eight guides and 12 hikers – including nine Singaporeans – up Mount Dukono, an active volcano on North Halmahera island in North Maluku, on the morning of May 8. Shortly after the group reached the summit, the volcano produced a large eruption. The blast killed three climbers: Singaporeans Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid and Timothy Heng, and Indonesian national Angel Krishela Pradita. The incident drew international attention to the risks of trekking active volcanoes and the responsibilities borne by guides and local authorities.
Ignoring An Existing Climbing Ban
Police say Reza’s first major act of negligence was continuing to organise and lead the climb despite a formal climbing ban imposed on April 17 by local authorities after increased volcanic activity. Reza has claimed he was unaware of the ban, but investigators argue that as a professional guide he had a duty to stay informed about official closures and hazard advisories affecting routes he operates on. Proceeding with the trek in defiance of the ban forms one core basis of the criminal allegation.
No Coordination With Volcano Observation Post
The second key factor cited by police is Reza’s failure to coordinate with the government’s volcano observation post, run by the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. Officials said he knew Dukono was at alert level 2 – the second of four volcanic alert tiers – but did not check in with the monitoring post before the hike. According to police, proper coordination could have provided updated information on eruption risks and potentially led to a different decision about whether to proceed to the summit that day.
Next Steps In The Legal Process
Reza told The Straits Times on May 21 that he would “continue to cooperate with every step of the process.” Under Indonesian procedure, North Halmahera police will now continue gathering evidence and witness statements and compile a case dossier. Once complete, the dossier will be handed to local prosecutors for review. If prosecutors find the file sufficient, they will draft a formal indictment and submit it to the district court, which will then fix a trial date. Until then, Reza remains a suspect, not yet convicted, but facing serious legal exposure if found guilty.
The naming of guide Reza Selang as a suspect after the Mount Dukono eruption underscores how Indonesia is increasingly willing to hold local operators criminally accountable when safety bans and coordination protocols are ignored. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the case highlights the need for climbers and guides alike to respect volcano alerts and official closures, recognising that responsibility for safe adventures on active peaks is shared – and that legal consequences may follow when warnings are brushed aside.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , CNA (2026)
Keywords: Reza Selang Suspect, Article 474 Indonesian Criminal Code, Erlichson Pasaribu Statement, Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid, Timothy Heng, Angel Krishela Pradita
