Balinese police accuse Perth father of bashing a security guard – rejecting his account of events

A Perth man’s claim that he accidentally knocked a man off his scooter in Bali when hailing a cab has been rejected by local police.

Kuta police allege New Zealand-born Matthew Arai, 38, bashed a security guard in a parking lot outside the popular Sky Garden Nightclub early on Sunday morning. 

But Mr Arai said he was hailing a taxi at about 4am outside the nearby Bounty club when he injured a scooter driver who received a cut to his eyebrow.

Mr Arai, who is locked up in a urine-soaked cell with three locals, claims authorities are now demanding $10,000 or he risks being charged with attempted murder.  

 

Matthew Arai (pictured), a New Zealand citizen, has been arrested and thrown into Kuta jail

Mr Arai was holidaying in Bali with his wife and four-year-old son for his cousin's wedding when the incident occurred 

Mr Arai was holidaying in Bali with his wife and four-year-old son for his cousin’s wedding when the incident occurred 

Kuta Police Chief Ricki Fadlianshah alleged to 9 News Mr Arai had instigated a brawl with the security guard.

 ‘The victim walked to parking area,’ he alleged.

‘He met the suspect, and suddenly suspect punched the victim.’ 

The police chief said Mr Arai was arrested at the Mercure Hotel in Kuta and that the father admitted to being drunk.

Mr Arai was holidaying with his partner and four-year-old son for his cousin’s wedding.

The fiancee of Mr Arai told Channel 9 Kuta Police have asked the family to pay $10,000 to the victim in compensation – and assure her the victim will drop the charges in return.

He still has access to his phone and was communicating with the media and friends about his situation, revealing to Channel 9 that he is in a cell with three locals and has to urinate in a plastic bottle.

‘I didn’t realise the injury as he quickly jumped off and ran down the road. I was then surrounded by local Indonesians punched to the face and kicked in the groin region multiple times,’ Mr Arai wrote on Facebook.

‘I wanted to report myself being assaulted but ended up in Kuta jail with no charge or reasoning for my detention.

‘I understood afterwards that the scooter rider was injured and arrived from hospital, then they lock me up without charge. 

‘I have been threatened with 40 days local jail, then transfer to prison with minimum five months to five years imprisonment.’

Authorities are demanding $10,000 or he risks being charged with attempted murder

Authorities are demanding $10,000 or he risks being charged with attempted murder

Mr Arai pictured in his jail cell in Kuta Jail. His family is seeking legal advice to help get him out

Mr Arai pictured in his jail cell in Kuta Jail. His family is seeking legal advice to help get him out

Mr Arai’s friend Regan Jhonson sent over $5000 on Monday morning and they’re still working on getting the rest of the money. 

His mother, Wendy Clark, is upset to hear about what her son is going through and is seeking legal advice.  

‘It is very distressing, to see my son, in a one-metre cell on the floor,’ she told Ngaarda Media.

‘There’s urine and its flea infested…he hasn’t got a bed and I am not leaving Bali until I get my baby out of there.’ 

‘I really need a lawyer to help us negotiate.’

The Bali Chief of Police is due to meet with Mr Arai in person soon.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the New Zealand Embassy in Indonesia for comment.  

Mr Arai's friend Regan Jhonson has sent over $5000 on Monday morning and they're still working on getting the rest of the money

Mr Arai’s friend Regan Jhonson has sent over $5000 on Monday morning and they’re still working on getting the rest of the money



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