Syrian Expat Evicts Sidoarjo and Surabaya Officials During Restaurant Raid Over Harassment Claims

SIDOARJO, INDONESIAN POST – A Syrian national, identified only by the initial D, caused a massive stir after evicting Sidoarjo Deputy Regent Mimik Idayana and Surabaya Deputy Mayor Armuji during a joint inspection of his restaurant, 116° Resto, in Taman, Sidoarjo regency, on Wednesday.

The joint task force conducted the raid after a former female employee from Surabaya reported being a victim of sexual harassment by D while working at the establishment. The victim filed her grievance directly to Armuji, who immediately escalated the matter.

Armuji subsequently met with Mimik to coordinate a cross-jurisdictional raid involving multiple agencies, including the Sidoarjo City Police. “We cannot remain silent when a worker’s dignity is at stake, especially when a Surabaya resident becomes a victim in the Sidoarjo area,” Armuji said, as quoted by VIVA Jatim on October 22, 2026.

Following their coordination, the two local leaders agreed to conduct a direct field inspection. They were accompanied by Adj. Comr. Rahmawati Lailah, head of the Women and Children Protection and Human Trafficking Unit at the Sidoarjo City Police, Sidoarjo Manpower Agency head Dwi Eko, and the employees’ legal counsel.

Upon arriving at the location, the delegation discovered alarming working conditions. Officials gathered the employees in their dormitory. Speaking with trembling voices, the workers finally opened up after Mimik guaranteed their protection.

Bilal, a worker from Surabaya, said his duties had been changed unilaterally. “My contract clearly states I am a cook. But every day, I am ordered to hoe and clean David’s [D’s] private garden,” he explained.

A younger female employee reported an even worse situation. In addition to a drastically altered job description, she claimed to have suffered inappropriate treatment and found herself trapped in a contract with exorbitant fines for early resignation. “I want to quit, but I am scared, ma’am. If I leave prematurely, I will face massive fines,” she said.

During the dialogue, David arrived at the scene. Instead of offering an explanation, he flew into a rage. Shouting in broken English, he repeatedly ordered the delegation to leave. “Get out! Get out!” he yelled at the group, targeting both Mimik and Armuji.

The arrogant display immediately escalated the situation. In response, Mimik ordered the Manpower Agency to verify the restaurant’s operational permits. Dwi Eko confirmed his office had never received a single permit application for 116° Resto.

M. Idris, the local neighborhood unit head, noted that the restaurant owner was notoriously uncooperative. “We have repeatedly reminded him to report his business and residents to the neighborhood administration, but he simply ignored us,” Idris stated.

Hearing the mounting evidence, Mimik issued a stern ultimatum, declaring that local authorities must seal the restaurant.

The inspection culminated in a review of immigration documents. Sidoarjo Immigration Office personnel called to the scene discovered that David’s stay permit had expired. Under standard regulations, the Syrian national faces immediate deportation.

However, the employees requested a delay in his deportation, citing unpaid wages.

“Please do not deport him until our salaries are paid in full. We have worked, but we haven’t been paid,” Bilal pleaded.

The Sidoarjo City Police are now officially handling the case regarding the alleged harassment and labor violations, while the Immigration Office processes the stay permit infraction.

VIVA | INDONESIAN POST