Cloudy Clouds at the Top of a Happy Day for the Wife of the Woman Killer in the Suitcase

The wedding reception that AL had dreamed of disappeared because her husband became a suspect in the case of murdering a woman in a suitcase.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Atmosphere of the Auditorium of the Muhammadiyah University of Palembang, South Sumatra, Sunday (5/5/2024).

Sunday (5/5/2024) should be the peak of happiness in the life of a woman with the initials AL (27), a resident of Palembang, South Sumatra. That day, AL was supposed to hold a wedding reception with her husband, Ahmad Arif Ridwan Nuwloh (29).

However, luck cannot be achieved, luck cannot be rejected, the long-awaited day actually turns out to be a cloud because Arif turns out to be a suspect in murder of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase at Bekasi, West Java.

The Palembang Muhammadiyah University Auditorium building looked deserted when Kompas visited on Sunday at 09.30. In fact, according to the schedule, the green building will witness the peak of happiness for AL and Arif who had their wedding ceremony on March 10. Hundreds of invitations have been distributed to enliven the event.

One of the workers in the building, who refused to give his name, said that the reception tent had been installed since Monday (April 29, 2024).

The tent next to the building will be used to accommodate guests if the capacity inside the building is insufficient. Recently, due to news spreading that Arif became a suspect in a murder case, the tent was finally dismantled on Saturday (5/4/2024) night.

"We were suspicious when the tent was set up faster than usual. As if the event was rushed. Usually, the tent is only set up two days before the event. This was finally answered after news came out that the groom was a suspect in the murder of a woman found in a suitcase," said the worker.

The tent for the reception has been installed since Monday (29/4/2024).

At around 11:15, a red car parked in the building's courtyard. A man over middle-aged wearing black batik patterned with brown and a black peci got out of the car. The man, later known as Zainal (71), appeared to check the building.

Zainal was confused because there were no signs of crowds and activities around the building. He tried asking people around him about the certainty of the reception event there while showing the digital invitation on his phone.

"Where is this reception taking place? Looking at the schedule and location, this reception should be held here right now. But why are there no people at all?" he asked.

Also read: Female Killer in Suitcase Arrested with the Help of CCTV Cameras

A number of people told Zainal that the schedule and location of the invitation were not wrong. However, the reception was canceled because the groom was caught in the murder case of woman in a suitcase.

Suddenly, Zainal was surprised. He repeatedly uttered istigfar - a phrase asking for Allah's forgiveness in Islamic teachings - while taking a deep breath and showing a puzzled expression.

"I seek forgiveness from God, I have no knowledge about this news at all. I just heard about it now. The family who invited me also did not inform me that this wedding reception was cancelled," said Zainal who is from Kenten, Palembang.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

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Zainal claims to be the uncle of AL's deceased father. Therefore, Zainal tried to visit AL's house to provide moral support to AL and his family. Assisted by the media team, Zainal was taken to AL's residence located in Naga Swidak, 14 Ulu Village, Seberang Ulu II District, Palembang.

There, Zainal was directly greeted by the AL family, while the media crew was not accepted. "We apologize, sir/madame, we cannot yet receive colleagues from the media because we are still mourning," said a man who is a relative of AL when asking the media crew to leave the area of the house.

Also read: There is a romantic relationship in the case of the murder of a woman in a suitcase

"Earlier, I tried to meet AL to provide moral support. It's just that AL doesn't want to be found yet. AL locked himself in his room. In fact, I introduced myself as uwaknya (AL's father's older cousin). "I understand that AL doesn't want to meet people yet because AL is still very traumatized by the incident," he said.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

One of the guests invited, Zainal, was not aware that there was a cancellation of the wedding reception event between AL and the woman's killer in a suitcase, which was supposed to take place at the Auditorium of Muhammadiyah University Palembang, South Sumatra, on Sunday (5/5/2024).

Polite and religious

On Sunday at around 14.00, Kompas tried to meet the head of the local RT, and cousin of AL's grandfather, Muhammad Ali Rahman (64). Openly, Ali said that AL and Arif had been in a serious romantic relationship for the last year or so.

AL got to know Arif from several interactions for work purposes at the company where they both work. AL is an employee at the Palembang branch office of the company, while Arif is an auditor at the head office located in Jakarta.

According to Ali, he and his family are attracted to Arif's very polite and religious personality. Therefore, the extended family gives their blessings when AL and Arif want to continue to the next stage of marriage.

Also read: Female Murder Victims Thrown Away in Suitcases Also Happens in Bali

AL and Arif got married on the third anniversary of AL's mother's death, which coincided with two days before last Ramadan. They were married at AL's residence, attended by their closest family members.

After that, they decided to hold their wedding reception this Sunday. Invitations have been sent to 200-300 close family members.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The atmosphere towards the residence of AL, the wife of the woman killer in a suitcase in the Naga Swidak area, Kelurahan 14 Ulu, Seberang Ulu II District, Palembang, South Sumatera, on Sunday (5/5/2024).

Approaching the wedding reception, Arif departed to Palembang towards AL's residence on Friday (26/4/2024). Ali mentioned that AL had mentioned Arif's behavior had changed slightly after arriving in Palembang. Arif was reportedly more religious.

Until now, Arif has been known for his devout worship. He has never missed his five daily prayers. However, since arriving until the day of his arrest on Tuesday (30/4/2024), he has been even more diligent and focused in his worship.

Not only does Arif perform the five daily prayers, but he also performs all the optional prayers and often cries during prayer. AL even asked if Arif was experiencing any problems. However, Arif replied that there were no problems at all.

As it turns out, on Tuesday night (30/4/2024), a number of police officers came to AL's residence to arrest Arif and hold him accountable for his role as a murder suspect.

Also read: Time to Create a Safe Space for Women

AL and his entire family, including Ali, were very surprised by the arrest. Moreover, Arif is known as a good person and comes from a good family.

With the arrest, the wedding reception of AL and Arif was automatically cancelled. The incident greatly affected AL's mental health, to the point that AL refused to eat and drink, and spent more time isolating themselves in their room.

Moreover, this issue is the third blow in AL's life after his father died tragically at the hands of a neighbor about three years ago and his mother just passed away.

"We continue to try to encourage AL that life is not always good, especially in a household. AL is asked to take lessons from the situation. At least, AL is guided by Allah SWT regarding her husband's true behavior before further proceeding with the household boat," said Ali.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

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Case chronology

Based on the Kompas.id report, the Metro Jaya Regional Police revealed that Arif killed his secret lover, Rini Mariany (50), in a hotel room in Bandung, West Java, Wednesday (24/ 4/2024).

Initially, their relationship was a professional one as coworkers in the same company. Arif was an auditor in the headquarters, while Rini was a cashier at the company's branch office in Bandung. After Arif frequently came to audit the office in Bandung, the seeds of love between them slowly grew and flourished in the last year at least.

Arif and Rini took advantage of every opportunity to express their affection, including their first intimate relationship that occurred in December 2023. On Wednesday (24/4/2024), Arif returned to visit the office in Bandung for an audit. On that occasion, Rini asked Arif to accompany her in her routine agenda of depositing company money to the bank.

Before depositing the money, Arif and Rini were monitored by surveillance cameras (CCTV) going to the hotel and entering their room at 09.51. In the room, Arif admitted that they had sexual relations. After that, according to Arif, a conversation took place between the two. At that time, Rini insisted on getting married.

Also read: Female Killer in Suitcase Takes Money from Victim to Cover His Crime

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

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However, Rini refused to misappropriate the amount of Rp 43 million, even though Arif guaranteed to take responsibility. When refusing, Rini uttered words that offended Arif.

Because he was hurt and emotional, Arif hit Rini's head against the wall until she fainted. After that, Arif covered the victim's mouth and nose for 10 minutes until he died.

We continue to try to encourage AL that life is not always good, especially in marriage.

Knowing that Rini was dead, Arif used the company money that Rini had brought with him to buy two suitcases. Then, Arif kept Rini's body in a second black suitcase, lying face down.

In addition to buying two suitcases and paying for hotel and online taxi, Arif used the company's money to purchase plane tickets to Palembang. He also sent Rp 7 million to his mother, but later asked for Rp 2 million to be returned.

The remaining money, whether in cash or in the account, is only IDR 36 million. The police have confiscated the money as part of the evidence.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Muhammad Ali Rahman, RT head and relative of AL, the wife of the murderer of the woman in the suitcase, when met in Naga Swidak, 14 Ulu Village, Seberang Ulu II District, Palembang, South Sumatra, Sunday (5/5/2024).

Don't know

After the case was revealed, initially the AL refused to give a statement to the journalists. However, Ali suggested that the AL should speak directly to the media, even just once, to clarify the information related to him in the case.

However, AL stated that while in Palembang, Arif did appear restless. AL tried asking if there was a problem, but Arif replied that there was nothing wrong.

Therefore, when Arif was arrested, AL initially did not believe the police. Until now, AL still cannot believe the incident that befell Arif. Nevertheless, AL ensures that they have no knowledge of the case that befalls Arif, including the issue of the taken money.

Despite the difficulty, AL is making a strong effort to let go of Arif who must undergo legal processes to be held accountable for his actions. Now, the continuation of their household will be further discussed by AL and Arif's extended family.

"I have agreed that my husband will be handled by the police," said AL in a trembling voice as if he was holding back tears.