UGM Lecturer And Ex-TGPF Intan Jaya Member, Bambang Purwoko Dies Due To COVID-19

The late Bambang Purwoko (Photo: DOK Fisipol.ugm.id.id)

JAKARTA - Gadjah Mada University lecturer who was a member of Intan Jaya's Joint Fact Finding Team (TGPF), Bambang Purwoko died due to COVID-19.

This sad news was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD.

"Inna lillah wa inna ilaihi raji'un. My best friend BAMBANG PURWOKO, a lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM who was full of dedication and always being kind to everyone, died this morning at 9.45 WIB," as quoted from his Twitter account @mohmahfudmd, Wednesday, July 14.

This sad news was also conveyed by the Head of the Department of Government Politics (DPP) Fisipol UGM Abdul Gaffar Karim. He said, Bambang had received treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because his condition had worsened due to exposure to COVID-19.

"Pak Bambang Purwoko was treated at the hospital because of COVID-19. He was admitted to the ICU a few days ago. This morning his condition worsened, with a weak heartbeat. At 09.25 he was declared dead," Gaffar said when confirmed by reporters.

For information, when joining the Intan Jaya TGPF to investigate the shooting of Pastor Yeremia, Bambang was shot by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) which attacked in Hitadipa District, Intan Jaya, Papua.

When he was about to go home with his team after conducting an investigation and visiting Pastor Jeremiah's family, he was caught in a gun battle between the KKB and members of the TNI.

At that time, Bambang and a member of the TNI who suffered gunshot wounds were immediately evacuated to the Sugapa Regional General Hospital (RSUD) for treatment.