Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, issues apology after arrest over alleged naked rampage in Indonesia

The Sunshine Coast man who allegedly went on drunken rampage and assaulted a local man in Indonesia has begged for forgiveness from “all whom I have disrespected and hurt”, saying “I am truly sorry”. Read the full statement.

The Sunshine Coast man who allegedly terrorised a conservative Indonesian beach village during a naked, drunken rampage has begged for forgiveness.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, allegedly ran naked and drunk through the village, screaming and bashing into a local coffee shop before trying to take a motorbike and throwing it at a local who suffered a serious leg injury.

The man is recovering in hospital with a broken leg, requiring 50 stitches.

In a statement to The Courier-Mail, Bodhi’s father said his son was “deeply ashamed of the trauma and ongoing distress he has inflicted upon his family” and wanted to apologise to the Australian public for the embarrassing international incident.

Ben Risby-Jones spoke to his son after he was arrested on the tiny north Sumatran island of Simeulue.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones speaks to the media on Saturday morning. Picture: ABC News

He said his son wanted to “hand on heart apologise … to all whom I have disrespected and hurt, I am truly sorry please forgive me.”

The young man’s dad said the sobering reality of the drunken rampage was starting to sink in.

“He is extremely remorseful and apologetic and acknowledges the pain he has caused the victim, Mr Edi Ron, and his family,” he said.

“He further acknowledges the waste of resources his actions have caused the Simeulue Police.

“Bodhi is now fully aware of his behaviour on Thursday night and is disturbed by his actions and takes full responsibility for them,” he said.

“He also wants to apologise to the Australian people for embarrassing them and is deeply ashamed of the trauma and ongoing distress he has inflicted upon his family.”

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones today told ABC News he “wasn’t myself”.

“Normally I am a very nice guy,” he said.

Asked whether he remembered the alleged assault, he said “not really … not much at all”.

“I got hit a lot of times on the ground, people kicked my head … make me forget a bit.

“But like I’m a really nice in heart, I never want to hurt people, never … so it was very out of character for me.”

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, a 23-year-old from Noosa, was detained in the early hours of Thursday morning in the country's ultraconservative province of Aceh Picture Facebook

Mr Risby-Jones claims to have only had one shot of vodka.

“I was surfing a lot the day before so I had sunstroke … not enough drinking water … it was a lot of things … I felt really bad”.

“I normally not drink much in Australia … beer sometimes in Australia … but not much.”

“I am a carpenter back in Australia … I build houses.”

Mr Risby-Jones could face 40 lashes and five years in prison after the incident in the ultraconservative area, where Sharia Law is enforced.

State government cabinet minister Leeanne Enoch on Saturday morning acknowledged the concern for the man’s family and said the consulate was offering assistance.

“There’s not been a lot of details since then,” she said, referring to early reports of consular assistance from the Australian Embassy and the vague details of potential charges the Noosa man faces.

“At the moment, it’s a case of ensuring that foreign affairs are able to work closely with that gentleman and his family.”

When asked if the state government would be offering support to the man and his family, Ms Enoch said there was still minimal information about the incident.

“We need to let those processes move through,” she said.

“Of course, the federal government will need to lead that work, as they should do, and we’ll see what comes from that.”

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones. Picture Facebook

Mr Risby-Jones earlier begged for forgiveness and described feeling depressed after missing a flight home, according to local authorities.

Vision from the incident, which has sparked local outrage, shows angry locals pinning the young man down until police arrive.

Indonesian sources told The Courier-Mail Mr Risby-Jones was also bashed by local villagers, who threatened to burn down the hotel where he was staying after his alleged rampage.

Local police said about midnight on Thursday, two residents of Lantik Village were going into a shop to buy cigarettes when “suddenly a man came out from the ditch (and started) chasing them”.

The men were allegedly chased to a coffee shop where Mr Risby-Jones allegedly pushed a motorbike over, causing a villager to reportedly land in the gutter and suffer a serious leg injury.

Simeulue police investigator Mayyuhdi told The Courier-Mail an empty bottle of vodka was found in Mr Risby-Jones’ room at the Moon Beach Resort. He said the injured villager, reportedly a local fisherman, was rushed to hospital and that his wife immediately made a report to local police. He confirmed Mr Risby-Jones was in detention at Simeulue Police Station.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones at a police station.

“The suspect told us that he feel sorry for what he has done. He said that he feel depressed as his friend has left him in Aceh,” Mayyuhdi said.

“He said that he missed the flight where he should back to his country with his friend. He has told us he feel sorry and he ask forgiveness. He regret it.”

The investigator confirmed Mr Risby-Jones was completely naked and has been charged with article 351 on assault, which carries penalties of two to five years imprisonment.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones has been detained in Indonesia. Picture: 9 News Brisbane

When asked about Sharia Law, the investigator said “for the naked, it would not, but for alcohol, it is could be charged with Qanun (Sharia Law.) But we need to do further investigation.”

He said the maximum penalty under Qanun would be 40 lashes with a cane.

Simeulue police chief Senior Commissioner Jatmiko told the Sydney Morning Herald Mr Risby-Jones had also assaulted a security guard.

“He got out of his room naked. The security man attempted to stop him but got hit at the neck and fell down,” Jatmiko alleged.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones being interviewed at a local police station.

The sale and consumption of alcohol is banned in Aceh, where Islamic law or Sharia is enforced and public canings still take place for so-called morality offences such as premarital sex, adultery and homosexuality. People can be lashed for drinking alcohol.

Three non-Muslim Indonesian men were given 40 strokes of the cane in Banda Aceh in 2021 for drinking alcohol in public, and another person was sentenced to the same punishment in August.

Approached at their Noosa home by The Courier-Mail, Mr Risby-Jones’ parents declined to comment.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed the Australian Embassy in Jakarta was providing consular assistance to an Australian man detained in Indonesia.

“Due to privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further information,” he said.

Consular assistance can include visits to prisons to monitor welfare, liaising with local authorities regarding the Australian’s wellbeing, provision of lists of local lawyers and assistance communicating with family members or nominated contacts.