MEDIAALIF.COM, Batam — The world is a stage, and its story keeps changing… There are roles played sincerely, and there are roles played deceptively by people who appear innocent while allegedly hiding dishonest and untrustworthy intentions.
This is the profound message conveyed by the well-known song “Dunia Ini Panggung Sandiwara” (“This World Is a Stage”). Today, its meaning is allegedly being experienced by a crew member of a Belgian-flagged vessel, Vimal Ulas, who was allegedly abandoned and accused of murder, while being left alone by his fellow Indian nationals.
Among his fellow nationals, Arunachalam and Kumar Selvi Naveen, who served as stewards, were reportedly involved in breaking up the fight and providing first aid by treating the scratches on the victim. Such assistance would ordinarily be part of the responsibilities of the ship’s medical personnel. However, they suddenly disappeared and have not appeared in court as witnesses.
Throughout the trial proceedings, none of the witnesses presented by the Prosecutor stated that they had seen Vimal holding a steak knife or stabbing the victim, Adam. In particular, the steak knife allegedly used as evidence was reportedly never subjected to forensic fingerprint examination. This matter has reportedly attracted the attention of the Consulate General of India in North Sumatra as well as the attention of the panel of judges.
Zulham Mariadin, a representative of the company headquartered in Belgium and reportedly the person who reported the alleged murder, did not attend the court hearing on July 20, 2026. Meanwhile, Piter Bongga, the vessel agent from PT Gesuri Lloyd based in Batam, was also alleged to have shown little concern toward Vimal Ulas, a crew member who became a suspect and remained in detention.
Based on Trial Facts and Investigative Observations
The case reportedly began with a political argument involving four friends: Vimal, Adam, the deceased victim, Arunachalam, and Kumar Selvi Naveen. However, the latter two reportedly did not appear in court and have seemingly disappeared, despite the vessel still being anchored in Batam.
The witnesses presented by the Prosecutor included Piter Bongga, a vessel agent from PT Gesuri Lloyd based in Batam, and Zulham from PT Idros Services in Batam, who represented the company based in Belgium and reportedly made the police report but did not attend the hearing.
Witness Angga Irawan, a Control Room Officer at PT Bias Delta Pratama, reportedly transported the victim by ambulance to Awal Bros Hospital Batu Aji. According to the testimony, the victim was still able to sit when he arrived. Witness Riswan, who was on the vessel while it was anchored, reportedly did not see Vimal holding a knife or stabbing anyone during the hearing on July 20, 2026.
Medical experts from Awal Bros Hospital Batu Aji also provided testimony. They included Dr. Jody Multi, a general practitioner who initially treated the victim in the emergency department; Dr. Rico Ikhsani, a surgeon; Dr. Indra Faisal, a forensic specialist; and Dr. Rena Noer, an anesthesiologist.
The doctors reportedly testified that the victim, Adam, showed indications of alcohol consumption and experienced agitation, including removing his IV line and respiratory tube. The victim was reportedly declared dead after approximately seven hours of medical treatment. This testimony was presented during the hearing on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
During the examination of defendant Vimal Ulas under oath, the Prosecutor, defense counsel, and panel of judges questioned him regarding the chronology of events and the circumstances before the fight aboard the vessel, which was anchored at the PT Bias Delta Pratama Layup Anchorage, Sijantung Village, Galang District, Batam City, Riau Islands.
«“At that time, we were celebrating Christmas, drinking alcohol together and arguing about politics. But the victim, who was tall and physically large, became angry and put me, Vimal, in a headlock. My friends intervened and separated us. The fight happened twice. I pushed Adam’s body, and I fell onto the floor after hitting a table. Arunachalam and Kumar Selvi then intervened. I also saw him fall against a table in the room. After that, we were separated,” Vimal said.»
«“I only pushed him, and I did not touch any object,” said Vimal through an interpreter.»
According to the report, Vimal’s facial expression did not appear to indicate fear or an apparent sense of guilt despite being questioned extensively by the panel of judges during the hearing on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The alleged murder case involving Vimal Ulas became a subject of further attention after the Prosecutor sought a conviction under the second count of the indictment, reportedly because the first count could not be proven before the court.
The Prosecutor’s demand for a seven-year prison sentence has attracted considerable attention from courtroom observers, legal practitioners, and members of the public, particularly concerning the steak knife allegedly presented as evidence without a forensic fingerprint examination.
This has raised questions over whether Vimal Ulas, an Indian national and crew member of the CSD vessel JFJ De Nul, a vessel flying the Belgian flag and associated with Belgium, can automatically be considered the principal perpetrator of the alleged offense.
The second charge reportedly concerns Article 351 paragraph (3), as amended under Article 466 paragraph (3) of Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Vimal Ulas is facing a seven-year prison demand, according to the hearing held on September 9, 2026.
The case has attracted public attention because two other crew members who allegedly witnessed the incident have not appeared in court. They were reportedly among those who saw Vimal being punched, slapped, and placed in a headlock by Adam Nagoor, the victim.
The vessel and its crew were reportedly still anchored in Batam at the time of the incident in March 2026.
The circumstances have therefore raised questions about the whereabouts of the two crew members and why they have not appeared as witnesses, despite allegedly having knowledge of the inciden. (rickymorasag)
