BALI – Two men have been arrested by Badung Police over a series of alleged arson attacks targeting rice threshing machines and a fence near Alas Pala Sangeh tourist attraction in Abiansemal, Badung Regency, Bali. Police said the suspects allegedly carried out the attacks to vent their anger after losing money in cockfighting gambling.

The suspects are identified by their initials PMDS, 24, from Mengwi, Badung, and IKW, 22, a construction worker from Tejakula, Buleleng Regency, Bali.

Badung Police Chief AKBP Joseph Edward Purba said the alleged arson incidents occurred at several locations between June and September 2026, mainly in agricultural areas across Abiansemal.

Investigators said the suspects allegedly targeted rice threshing machines, locally known as dores, as well as a fence near the Alas Pala Sangeh tourist attraction.

Four Alleged Arson Incidents in Abiansemal

According to police, the first incident occurred on June 5, 2026, at around 3:30 p.m. local time in a rice field in Subak Blahkiuh, Banjar Pande, Abiansemal Village, Badung.

A similar incident was reported on June 17 at approximately 4:30 p.m. in the Subak Blahkiuh agricultural area, where another rice threshing machine was allegedly set on fire.

The suspects allegedly struck again on September 28, around 4:15 p.m., when a used motorcycle tire was set alight near the northwestern fence of the Alas Pala Sangeh tourist attraction in Sangeh Village, Abiansemal.

Another rice threshing machine was reportedly burned in the Subak Mambal Munduk Kedampal area, Banjar Samu, Mekar Bhuwana Village, toward the end of September.

Police said the incident near Sangeh was particularly concerning because the flames could have spread to the protected forest surrounding the tourist attraction.

CCTV Footage Helped Police Identify Suspects

The investigation began after victims received reports that their rice threshing machines had caught fire. When they arrived at the locations, they found the machines burned, with smoke still rising from the remains.

In the Sangeh incident, a local resident, I Wayan Sukanta, alerted authorities after noticing a tire burning on an iron fence near the tourist attraction.

Investigators subsequently reviewed CCTV footage from the surrounding area. The recordings allegedly showed two people riding a black Honda Beat motorcycle, registration number DK 3799 FDH, while carrying a used tire toward the location.

Subsequent footage reportedly showed the pair leaving the area without the tire, providing investigators with an important lead.

During questioning, the two suspects allegedly admitted to involvement in several of the fires, including incidents involving rice threshing machines in the Abiansemal Police jurisdiction.

Police also stated that one of the suspects had previously been involved in a property-damage case in the Abiansemal area in 2018, which was resolved amicably at the time.

Victims Suffer Millions of Rupiah in Losses

The alleged arson attacks caused substantial financial losses to several victims.

Police reported that Misran suffered losses estimated at Rp19 million, while Wiyatno, a resident of Rogojampi, Banyuwangi, East Java, suffered losses of approximately Rp13 million.

Another victim, Mulyadi, reportedly lost around Rp5 million due to a burned rice threshing machine.

Meanwhile, the management of the Alas Pala Sangeh tourist attraction, operated by the Sangeh Traditional Village, had not reported quantified material losses. However, part of the forest boundary fence was reportedly burned.

Authorities warned that the fire could have spread into the protected forest if it had not been detected early, potentially threatening the surrounding environment and tourist area.

Other individuals identified as victims in the case include I Made Karta, 58, a farmer from Abiansemal, and Ida Bagus Gede Pujawan, 48, who manages the Alas Pala Sangeh tourist attraction.

Suspects Face Up to Nine Years in Prison

Badung Police said the two suspects have been charged under Article 308 of Indonesia's Criminal Code concerning intentionally causing a fire, explosion, or flood, which carries a maximum prison sentence of nine years.

The case is being processed in accordance with Indonesian law.