Yogyakarta, 24 July 2025–The death of a young diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Arya Daru Pangayunan (39), who was found lifeless in a boarding house in Menteng, Central Jakarta, sparked widespread public attention. This heartbreaking event has also been highlighted by academics, including Prof. Dr. Dafri Agussalim, Professor of International Relations at FISIPOL UGM.
The death of an active diplomat is not just about personal loss, but also a space for reflection on how the state protects our diplomats. In his interview, Prof. Dafri emphasized the importance of this event as a reflection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions. According to him, protecting employees is not only about physical health, but should also include psychological security and economic well-being.
“State institutions need to have a comprehensive protection system for their employees. First, physical security must be protected, especially if they work in sensitive fields. Secondly, psychological security or a system that can ensure psychological support and early detection of work pressure that can impact employee mentality,” Dafri said in our interview.
Although this case is not considered to have a significant impact on Indonesia’s foreign relations because ADP is not yet at the policy-making level, according to Dafri, this incident is still essential. It should be taken seriously by the relevant institutions. He said that this should be a collective lesson for state institutions, not just the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to strengthen the internal protection system of its employees.
Dafri also highlighted the importance of transparency and credibility in the legal process. Until now, various speculations have continued to circulate in the public, ranging from suspected suicide to links to criminal acts of trafficking in persons (Tindak Pidana Perdagangan Orang or TPPO). He considered that this confusion of information would increase pressure on the victim’s family and weaken public trust in law enforcement institutions.
“Great public attention arises because no one main source of information can be referred to. Hence, it is important for officials and institutions to reveal facts with a credible and transparent approach immediately,” he explained.
He emphasized that in a democratic country, credible law enforcement is part of the state’s presence for its citizens, and moreover, in a case like this, it involves the integrity of the institution and the fate of the victim’s family.
Prof. Dafri hopes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can make this incident a momentum to improve the internal employee protection system and encourage cross-sector collaboration to prioritize diplomatic employees’ welfare and security aspects.