Danny (right) and his little brother. Photo: Dewi Ternasih
Danny Ashri Fajar Purba, a 21-year-old student at Universitas Indonesia (UI) who studies Arabic literature, has been missing since January 15. Danny’s mother, Dewi Tresnasih, is worried that the explanation behind her son’s sudden mysterious disappearance might have to do with terrorism.
Dewi, a resident in Batam, Riau Islands, said she suspected her son no longer cared for university as he entered his seventh semester.
“He applied to take 27 credits at UI for his seventh semester. But he knew there is a maximum of 24 credits for one semester. From there, it was apparent that he didn’t want to go to university anymore,” Dewi told Warta Kota on Monday.
The last contact Danny had with his family was a phone call with his father on the morning of January 14.
“They spoke as usual about college and finances,” Dewi said.
“But when he was asked about his exams, he dodged the topic. He said he’d call back because he had to go to the bathroom.”
But Danny couldn’t be contacted after that. After some time passed without any news from Danny, Dewi asked her daughter to check in on Danny’s apartment in Margonda, Depok.
“Turned out Danny wasn’t in the apartment, nor were his personal belongings, including laptop, clothes, and private documents. There was nothing in the room,” Dewi said.
Dewi then flew to Jakarta on January 15 to search for her son. There, she uncovered more clues behind her son’s disappearance.
“At the campus I found out that my son hasn’t been registered for one semester. I was shocked. If this is the case he didn’t suddenly leave, but he had planned this much in advance,” Dewi said.
“Danny’s friends didn’t have a clue. They don’t know where Danny went, especially since he wasn’t involved in any campus activities for the past few months.
“When his friends asked to meet up, Danny would say he was sick. When his friends wanted to visit, he’d say he was in Batam.”
Dewi filed a missing person report to the Depok Police on January 15. But she fears her son may never be found because he doesn’t want to be found.
“When I saw him in September, he was still chubby. But when I saw him again in December he was more built and muscular. I worry he’s joined military training for a forbidden group,” Dewi said.
