“Poisoning” could be to blame for Noosa man’s behaviour

A man who built the first surf camp on the Indonesian island where Bodhi Risby-Jones was arrested says the young tradie could’ve been hit with black magic, or even poisoned.

Bodhi Risby-Jones.

A man who built the first house for surf camps on the island of Simeulue says “poisoning or black magic” could be responsible for the alleged naked rampage by Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23.

Mr Risby-Jones was taken into custody in the Indonesian province of Aceh on Friday after allegedly terrorising a conservative Indonesian beach village on the tiny North Sumatran island of Simeulue about midnight on Thursday.

He blamed “sunstroke” and “not drinking enough water” as well as consuming alcohol for the alleged incident during which Mr Risby-Jones allegedly ran out of the resort naked and assaulted a number of people including a security guard.

The young tradie also allegedly injured a motorcyclist who is recovering in hospital after receiving 50 stitches in his leg.

Former Sydney and Gold Coast resident Brian Willy who lived on the remote island of Simeulue for eight years from 1999 – 2007 said his first thought was “poisoning” when he heard of the arrest.

Mr Willy referred to strange happenings on the islands including meeting a young Perth man who was found by a fisherman swimming six nautical miles to the next island in 2000 who he said “was never the same”.

“Black magic is basically poisoning and it sends them crazy, they (local residents) might put it in your coffee or tea,” Mr Willy said.

Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones speaking to a reporter about his drunken arrest in Aceh. Picture: ABC News

“They poison people by making up a potion or something.

“There is lots of black magic going on since after Covid because people think they can make money out of it.”

Mr Willy said he first went to Simeulue in 1997 to surf and then built the first house surf camp on the island in 2000.

He said before the Aceh tsunami there was “no problem” drinking and partying at local nightclubs, but that changed after the natural disaster struck in 2004 when an influx of foreigners arrived via non-governmental organisations.

Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones has been arrested in Indonesian for drunkenness and injuring two people. Picture: Facebook

“It’s a Muslim environment, so you have to respect the rules, but they’re not squeaky clean either,” he said.

“It’s a famous place for marijuana.

“But when I heard about this guy (Mr Risby-Jones) the first thing that came to my mind was black magic.”

Brian Willy’s house, the first camp on the island of Simeulue.

Indonesian Specialist from University of the Sunshine Coast Dr Inez Mahony said black magic “is well practised in Indonesia, and some parts of Indonesia more so than other areas”.

“Their belief system in black magic in their culture is really big, it’s a very big strong belief,” Dr Mahony said.

“Where I did my research in East Java that area was renowned for black magic.

“You never know if they did put some kind of actual real substance in their drink, but I’ve not heard of them doing that. But you never know if that could be part of the black magic in that area, like using the roots or something, or mushrooms.

“But it depends on your belief system, but some things are unexplainable.”

Brian Willy.

Mr Willy also said he had witnessed a “public flogging” which could be part of Mr Risby-Jones’ punishment under local sharia law.

“It disgusted me and I had to walk away,” he said.

“It was a couple that had committed adultery and all the locals were there, even kids.

“They were all cheering the guy with his big stick, saying ‘yeah, hit her, hit her’ and I just thought ‘that’s so barbaric’ you know, and I walked away.”

Brian Willy surfing of the island of Simeulue on a wave named after his son.

Mr Risby-Jones could be facing 40 lashes and up to five years in prison, reports state.

Non-Muslims can choose whether to be penalised under Islamic law, which is faster, or the penal code.

Mr Risby-Jones’ family declined to comment when approached by the Sunshine Coast Daily but in their statement released to the media on April 29 they said their son was “embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour and wants to ‘hand on heart apologise’ to Mrs Eri Sajuna and the others witnessing his behaviour and to the Indonesian people for disrespecting their culture and laws”.

“To all whom I have disrespected and hurt, I am truly sorry please forgive me,” the statement read.

Mr Risby-Jones previously broke his silence on the matter saying he did not feel like himself during the alleged incident.

“Like, almost possessed, it was not a good feeling,’ he said.

“I wasn’t myself, normally I’m a very nice guy.”

Simeulue Moon Beach Resort in Lantik, Aceh was the accommodation venue Noosa man Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones was staying at until his drunken rampage landed him in jail. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as “Poisoning” could be to blame for Noosa man’s behaviour