Jakarta. A 70-year-old man, the son of a former minister from the Soeharto era, passed away on Thursday after attempting to resist eviction from disputed land in South Jakarta, which was being carried out under a court order.

Rasich Hanif Radinal, son of the late Public Works Minister Radinal Mochtar, who served from 1988 to 1998, died while being transported to the hospital, according to his lawyers.

Earlier in the day, police officers and eviction officials arrived at a restaurant and café located on Lebak Bulus Street in the Cilandak district with the eviction order.

Rasich strongly resisted the eviction, claiming that he was the rightful owner of the land and buildings. He presented a bundle of documents, which he said were land ownership certificates, and stated that he had purchased the property in 1996.

He stood his ground as plainclothes officials forced their way onto the premises, breaking the gate lock with a hammer. During the struggle, Rasich's right hand was struck by the hammer, prompting his attorney to yell at the police, “This is a crime. Do something!”

Tensions quickly escalated as Rasich’s supporters tried to prevent the eviction, while the officials on the other side of the gate continued tearing down the iron bars protected with barbed wire.

Amid the chaos, Rasich, who remained in the middle of the conflict, grew pale and eventually collapsed as officials entered the property, forcibly removing furniture and other items.

A court official moved Rasich to a safer area before his relatives rushed him to Mayapada Hospital.

His attorney, Tubagus Noorvan, confirmed Rasich's death shortly afterward.

“We will continue to defend his rights despite his passing,” Tubagus said. “In light of this tragic event, we will pursue legal action in the coming days against these tyrannical actions.”

Before his collapse, Rasich repeatedly insisted that he was the legitimate owner of the property.

“I bought this land through Royah Bank, and it was recognized by the South Jakarta District Court on October 3, 1996,” he declared as officials stood outside the property.

The identity of the landowner who secured the court's eviction order remains unclear.

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