A woman in Mampang, South Jakarta was arrested for allegedly killing her husband, following a row concerning a relatively small amount of money.
The incident reportedly occurred at the couple’s kost (boarding house) on Sunday morning, when the husband, identified as 34-year-old HS, asked for IDR30,000 (US$2) from his wife, identified as 35-year-old RK.
“The husband initially asked his wife for IDR30,000, the wife got angry, they quarrelled, [then] the husband hit her,” Mampang sub-precinct chief Sujarwo told reporters yesterday.
HS allegedly threatened RK with a knife when she didn’t give him the money and hit her in the head, leaving a bruise. RK managed to fight back and snatched the knife from HS’ hands, before pushing him away and stabbing him in the chest until he fell over.
After he was stabbed, HS managed to get up and chase RK, who ran to her parents’ house, which is located in an alley near their kost, for help and shelter.
Due to the heavy bleeding he sustained from the stab wound, HS was promptly treated at home only for his condition to worsen. He died in the evening before he was taken to a puskesmas (community clinic) by his parents.
Staff from the clinic reported the incident to the Mampang sub-precinct, prompting the police to visit the crime scene. RK was apprehended not long after.
Sujarwo said the couple often fought over financial matters and that HS often hit his wife. Authorities said HS was working odd jobs, including as a parking attendant, whereas RK recently lost her job as a waitress due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police have so far questioned five witnesses, and confiscated a knife and RK’s clothes worn during the stabbing as evidence. RK has been charged with second degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
