Surfer Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones’s fate in hands of local Indonesian powerbrokers

The fate of a Queensland surfer facing possible jail and a public caning in Indonesia’s conservative Aceh province for alleged assault lies in the hands of two local powerbrokers.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones is paraded by Indonesian police in Aceh. Picture ABC News

The fate of a 23-year-old Queenslander facing assault charges in Indonesia’s conservative Muslim province of Aceh lies in the hands of two village powerbrokers, one of whom is facing corruption charges in a local court.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones faces up to five years in prison for his alleged naked, drunken rampage on the quiet surfing mecca of Simeulue island late in April and potentially also a public flogging for drinking alcohol, which is prohibited in Aceh and punishable under Sharia law.

Mr Risby-Jones reportedly attacked local man Edi Ron as he passed by the resort where he was staying on a motorcycle.

Mr Ron is receiving treatment in the Aceh capital, Banda Aceh, for his injuries and his family is seeking compensation.

As Mr Risby-Jones’s family seeks to settle the case out of court with the victim, the Australian’s fate rests on negotiations led by the victim’s brother-in-law Poni Harjo, a local government councillor under a corruption cloud, and public relations manager for the resort Safwan Siregar, a fuel distributor to the island.

At the weekend, Mr Harjo denied his family was seeking $61,000 in compensation, as previously reported, insisting the figure was only a starting point for discussions towards a possible settlement.

Mr Harjo said the compensation must match the pain endured by his brother-in-law, who suffered broken bones and damage to the nerves and veins in his left foot from a wound that required 50 stitches.

Mr Ron also endured a gruelling 17-hour boat ride from Simeulue to Calang in mainland Aceh to receive treatment in a bigger hospital and has since undergone two surgeries.

“The doctor has ordered a third surgery to clean the infection and fix the severed nerves and vein, but he could not bear the pain. The family is now trying to persuade him to agree with it,” Mr Harjo told The Australian.

Reasonable compensation should not only cover expenses for treatment and recuperation for Mr Ron, but cost-of-living expenses, any permanent disability, and costs associated with a traditional ceremony – peusijuek – required to cleanse the village, he argued “but this is just a draft proposal from us. It is not final.”

Mr Harjo was forced to clarify his initial compensation claim after some local people connected the exorbitant figure (by local standards) to his current legal troubles related to alleged false travel expenses claims in 2019.

He is facing trial in the Banda Aceh Corruption Court with two other councillors over charges they created fictitious plane tickets and hotel bills, and signed travel orders on fictitious activities. Despite the ongoing trial, Mr Harjo is seeking candidacy for re-election as a local councillor.

Mr Risby Jones’s lawyer, Idris, confirmed the victim’s family was seeking a $61,000 and said Bodhi’s family had already paid close to $5000 through Mr Siregar to cover health bills, transportation and other expenses.