International

Indonesians mourn governor's son found dead in Swiss river

Indonesians mourn governor's son found dead in Swiss river

June 13, 2022 | 10:36 AM
Policemen carry the coffin (C) during the funeral ceremony of Emmeril Kahn Mumtadz, son of West Java's governor, in Bandung regency. AFP
Tens of thousands of people filled streets in the city of Bandung Monday to mourn a governor's son, who was found dead in a Swiss river last week after a search that captivated Indonesia.
The disappearance of Emmeril "Eril" Kahn Mumtadz last month gained national attention, with Indonesians posting images and videos online of the eldest son of Ridwan Kamil, the governor of Indonesia's most populous province West Java.The 22-year-old disappeared in the Swiss capital Bern's Aare River on May 26 while swimming with his sister and friends.
 
Emmeril Kahn Mumtadz
Swiss authorities retrieved his body from a dam after a 12-day search and repatriated it to Indonesia on Sunday.Massive crowds gathered Monday in Bandung, the capital of West Java, to bid goodbye to the politician's son ahead of a burial broadcast on national television, where sobbing mourners were seen waving to his family as they travelled to a cemetery alongside his body.Some mourners travelled from other Indonesian islands to pay their respects, local media reported."I believe Eril is very happy now and he is at peace. We are also at peace and we have accepted what happened," his father told reporters outside the cemetery.
Students pay their respects during the funeral ceremony of Emmeril Kahn Mumtadz, son of West Java's governor, in Bandung regency. AFP
Kamil is a former mayor of Bandung and one of the most popular politicians in Indonesia, frequently named as one of the figures expected to run in the 2024 presidential election.President Joko Widodo on Friday said he contacted the governor to pay his "deepest condolences". Cabinet ministers and politicians also paid their respects, welcoming his sontarget="_blank"'>
June 13, 2022 | 10:36 AM