The Deadly Duel of Buskers and the Anger of the Losers

The deadly duel between buskers in Klaten, Central Java, is not just a fight. It's an expression of anger when people lose in life.

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The Chief of Klaten Regional Police AKBP Warsono (second from the left) along with his subordinates at Klaten Regional Police, Central Java, on Tuesday (14/5/2024), presented evidence in the case of a deadly brawl involving street musicians.

The case of death duel of buskers in the Prambanan area, Klaten Regency, Central Java, reveals another problem. The violence that occurred was not just a fight between residents. This aggressive attitude is an expression of anger from people who have lost in life.

Two men in red t-shirts walked with sluggish steps, escorted by sturdy police officers, towards a hall in the Klaten Police Resort Office, Klaten Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday (14/5/2024). Their heads were bowed down continuously, with a glint of fear in their eyes. Their faces appeared as if they could only look towards the ceramic floor.

The two men, Beny Prayoga (44) and Nava Gama Saputra (37), were just arrested by police in Banyuwangi, East Java, Sunday (12/5/2024). At that time they were fleeing from the persecution case which killed two other buskers, namely Wili (30) and Sendi (24).

“Yesterday it was just a moment of emotion. There were no plans beforehand. There's no preparation. "I'm very sorry," said Beny, regarding his actions.

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KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

Beny Prayoga (second from left) when questioned by police officers in uncovering the case at Klaten Police, Central Java, Tuesday (14/5/2024).

During the commotion, Saputra, who happened to be Beny's boarding house neighbor, came out of his room. He wanted to check on the noise that was happening. However, he was instead hit by Sendi. The situation became increasingly uncontrollable.

Ignited by anger at seeing his colleague being beaten, Beny entered his room to take a 40 cm long knife. Then, he used the knife to stab and slash Wili.

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Beny Prayoga (second from the left) and Nava Gama Saputra (second from the right) were taken by the police at Klaten Regional Police Office, Central Java, on Tuesday (14/5/2024).

Observing Beny's rampage, Sendi tries to flee on his motorcycle. However, Saputra blocks him with a piece of bamboo. Sendi remains persistent in escaping by running. Therefore, Saputra hits Sendi's back and face.

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Klaten Police Chief AKBP Warsono explained the case of the deadly street musician duel at Klaten Police Station in Central Java on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Klaten Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Warsono stated that the motive behind the tragedy was resentment. According to him, Wili's shouting and cursing had hurt Beny's feelings. Moreover, Beny's child who was the target of the shouting was frightened.

Warsono continued, the four individuals were actually on good terms. They were professional acquaintances who had known each other for 20 years. The work they engaged in, among others, included working as street musicians or "silver humans" at intersections in the Prambanan area.

"As they were friends, the victim and perpetrator often entrusted their children to each other. When the victim was working, their child was entrusted to the perpetrator. It was the same the other way around," said Warsono.

For their actions, Beny and Saputra are charged under Article 170 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) with a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison or Article 354 Paragraph 2 of the KUHP with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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KOMPAS/NINO CITRA ANUGRAHANTO

Beny Prayoga's sharp weapon was used to stab Wili and Sendi in the case at Klaten Police, Klaten Regency, Central Java, Tuesday (14/5/2024).

Contacted separately, a sociologist from Sebelas Maret University, Drajat Tri Kartono, conveyed that the lethal duel between fellow street musicians reflects how the city treats street children. He deemed that these groups belong to those who are marginalized from the city's development. Their access to education and job opportunities is closed, thus forcing them to risk their lives on the streets.

This is a bigger problem than controlling uncontrollable emotions of street children or the community living on the streets from the lower classes.

More than that, explained Drajat, the life pressures experienced by street children are also multi-layered. This condition is what makes the anger of street children so explosive. In fact, some of them ended in murder.

"This is a bigger issue than controlling the uncontrollable emotions of street children or those living on the streets from the lower class," said Drajat.

He also reminded the need to build cities that are friendly to marginalized groups. As long as the city is not friendly to them, he is afraid that aggressive behavior will continue to erupt and claim more victims. Let's not let this drag on.