An Indonesian man identified by the initials EL, aged 59, set fire to a villa where he had previously worked as a dog walker. According to his own account, the motive was resentment over being fired.
His actions were clearly captured by a surveillance camera, leaving no doubt for the police about who was responsible. Based on the footage, investigators from South Kuta Police arrested the suspect.
EL confessed that the arson was not solely due to being fired — it was the final straw. The main reason, he said, was the constant criticism and scolding he endured from the villa owner, a British national. After his dismissal, EL prepared Molotov cocktails using Pertalite fuel and plastic bottles.
At 2 a.m., the suspect called a Gojek ride and headed to the villa. Once there, he broke a window and threw a lit bottle of fuel inside. He threw a second one to be sure. He had planned to throw a third onto the thatched roof but lost his lighter.
The villa was completely destroyed in a very short time. EL has been charged under Article 187 of the Indonesian Penal Code for arson, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Of course, the suspect’s reaction to being fired was extreme, but it likely didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s not uncommon for foreign residents to treat locals with arrogance or condescension. What’s often overlooked is the cultural gap: direct or subtle insults, even mild ones, raised voices, or disrespectful gestures are taken far more seriously by Indonesians than many realize. Such behavior rarely leads to anything good.
Sources: beritasatu, nusabali
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