Governor Ridwan Kamil Extends Leave as Search for Missing Son Continues

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, in a written statement on Monday by West Java secretary Setiawan Wangsaatmadja, has granted an extended leave for West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil who is currently in Switzerland to actively partake in the search for his eldest son Emmeril Kahn Mumtadz who went missing during a swim in River Aare, Bern.

“On May 28, the Home Affairs Minister approved the leave permit due to urgent situations,” the secretary wrote on May 30. 

Previously, Ridwan Kamil left for a number of countries for working visits. He received the unfortunate news on May 26 when his son was first reported missing. 

Ridwan Kamil initially planned to end his overseas working visits in Swiss to attend discussions regarding waste management on May 27-28.

“Due to the tragedy, the West Java provincial government took the initiative, especially from May 29-June 4 to request a leave permit to the Home Affairs Minister,” Setiawan explained.

A spokesperson for the Ridwan Kamil family, Elpi Nazmuzaman, expressed the family's gratitude for the provincial government’s initiatives.

Emmeril Khan Mumtadz went missing after swimming in River Aare located nearby the city of Bern on Thursday, May 26, Elpi Nazmuzaman announced on Friday. He visited Switzerland to look for a university for his future Master’s degree education. 

According to Elpi Nazmuzaman, initial reports suggested Emmeril was dragged by a strong current. The Swiss rescue team and police immediately conducted a search for the governor’s son but stopped the search after six hours, just an hour before midnight. 

AHMAD FIKRI (CONTRIBUTOR) 

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