The residence of Haerul Saleh, a prominent member of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK RI), located in the Tanjung Barat Indah Complex, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, was tragically engulfed in flames on Friday, May 8, 2026. The devastating incident resulted in the untimely death of Haerul Saleh.
The fire, which was remarkably contained to only the fourth floor, originated in Haerul’s private workspace. Here is a detailed chronology of the events that unfolded.
At 07:53 AM WIB,
The harrowing chain of events began when the local neighborhood head (RT chairman) reported the blaze to the South Jakarta Fire and Rescue Department (Gulkarmat). This alert was made after three of Haerul’s relatives, along with Harpen (36), the house caretaker, rushed to the fourth floor upon hearing shouts of “fire,” armed with light fire extinguishers (APARs). Thick black smoke was already seen billowing from the upper level, and it was there that Haerul Saleh was discovered unconscious. “Perhaps due to the smoke, Mr. Haerul lost consciousness,” Harpen recounted.
At 08:07 AM WIB,
A rapid emergency response was initiated. A formidable contingent of 12 units and 48 personnel from the South Jakarta Gulkarmat were promptly dispatched to the location, immediately commencing firefighting operations. Concurrently, Haerul Saleh was swiftly transported by ambulance to Pasar Minggu Regional Hospital in an urgent attempt to save his life.
At 08:49 AM WIB,
The diligent efforts of the firefighters successfully brought the blaze under control, with extinguishing operations concluded. The fire department’s preliminary assessment indicated that the fire likely originated from leftover paint thinner, remnants from recent renovation work within the residence.
At 10:55 AM WIB,
Police officials arrived at the scene. They were observed frequently entering and exiting the premises, while a strong, acrid smell of smoke still permeated the air even outside the house. Jagakarsa Police Chief, Commissioner Nurma Dewi, reiterated that the fire was strictly limited to the fourth floor and did not spread to the lower levels of the house.
At 12:47 PM WIB,
The investigation intensified with the arrival of the Identification Team from the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) at the location. They immediately began meticulous processing of the crime scene. South Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Senior Commissioner I Putu Yuni Setiawan, confirmed, “The crime scene upstairs is currently being processed. Subsequently, all items found there will be meticulously examined at the Forensics Laboratory to determine their composition, flammability, and other crucial details relevant to the investigation.”
At 01:25 PM WIB,
Haerul Saleh’s body was respectfully transported to the funeral home on Jalan Kartika Utama, Pondok Pinang, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta. From there, the deceased was transferred to a hearse, embarking on his final journey to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta. Haerul Saleh was to be flown to his cherished hometown in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, where he would be laid to rest.
Haerul Saleh held a distinguished public service record, having served as Member IV of the BPK RI since April 2022. Born in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, he had a notable political career, including terms as a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) following the 2014 and 2019 General Elections, before being appointed to the prestigious BPK in 2022.
Summary
On Friday, May 8, 2026, Haerul Saleh, a prominent member of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK RI), tragically died in a fire at his residence in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. The blaze, which was contained to the fourth floor and originated in his private workspace, led to Haerul being found unconscious before being rushed to Pasar Minggu Regional Hospital. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and a preliminary assessment indicated leftover paint thinner from recent renovations as the likely cause.
Police officials and the National Police Criminal Investigation Department’s Identification Team subsequently arrived to process the crime scene and conduct forensic examinations. Following the incident, Haerul Saleh’s body was transported to a funeral home and then to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, to be flown to his hometown in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, for burial. Haerul Saleh had served as Member IV of BPK RI since April 2022.