Son Disappearing, West Java Governor Kamil in Switzerland until June 4

TheIndonesia.id - Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has allowed West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil to remain abroad until June 4, 2022, in connection with the disappearance of Kamil's eldest son, Emmeril Kahn Mumtadz, a provincial official stated. Secretary of the West Java Provincial Administration Setiawan Wangsaatmaja stated that after his leave permit that expired on May 28 was extended to June 4, Kamil would remain in Switzerland to personally monitor the search and rescue operation for Mumtadz.

"The West Java authority decided to take the initiative (on behalf of Kamil) to request a leave extension to the home minister. Praise be to God, on May 28, the minister has granted his approval to extend the leave permit for urgent business," Wangsaatmaja noted during the press conference here on Monday.

He remarked that the governor was earlier granted leave on May 21-28 for official functions in Europe. During the seven-day itinerary, Kamil visited Italy on May 21-23 and the United Kingdom on May 24-26 before departing on May 27 for Switzerland where he remained until May 28, and an extension to his leave permit allowed Kamil to stay there until early June, the regional secretary elaborated.

"On May 21, (the governor departed for Europe) for an official visit. He first attended the 2022 Assisi and Rome Roundtable forum," he revealed.

"During the second leg of his visit in the United Kingdom, he discussed the development of human resources in West Java, for which the province is among the most advanced. The governor also attended discussion sessions with universities," Wangsaatmaja stated.

Kamil then departed for Switzerland to observe the local waste management system and, after the disappearance of his son, remained there until today, he added.

Mumtadz went missing after being dragged by a swift current while swimming in the Aare River, Switzerland, on Thursday (May 26). Search efforts for Mumtadz, made immediately after the incident, are still ongoing.