Ruben Onsu Absent at Mediation Hearing, Lawyer Reveals Schedule Conflict

Ruben Onsu was absent from the continued mediation session regarding child custody with Sarwendah at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (12/8/2026). The absence of the plaintiff occurred amid a mediation agenda that was held again after a schedule change.

His lawyer, William Rando, stated that Ruben's absence was triggered by a schedule clash due to the cancellation of mediation by the mediator the previous week.

"Our client is unable to attend due to other commitments, which is actually a sudden change from last week's cancellation, where the mediator unexpectedly canceled the mediation last Thursday," said William Rando, Ruben Onsu's lawyer, when met at the South Jakarta District Court on Wednesday (12/08/2026).

He added that the notification for the new schedule was received just before the weekend, causing a conflict with the already arranged agenda.

"Then we received the notice for this Wednesday from last Friday. So suddenly it clashed with our client's interests," he continued.

1. Schedule Conflict According to Ruben Onsu's Legal Counsel

According to William, the change in the mediation schedule that occurred after the sudden cancellation last Thursday affected the principal's readiness to attend. Meanwhile, the new schedule for Wednesday was received on Friday, making it impossible for his client's agenda to be adjusted in a short time.

He emphasized that mediation requires the presence of the parties in person. Therefore, the legal team cannot proceed with the mediation process without the principal's presence.

"So because this mediation is basically in accordance with Perma 1 2016, which states that the principal must be present, today we represent our client, we cannot attend the mediation today," he said.

2. Official Letter Requesting Rescheduling

Ruben's party has submitted an official letter to the mediator regarding their absence from this Wednesday's agenda. The letter was submitted to the mediation section of the South Jakarta District Court with a request to reschedule the mediation.

"Then we have already sent a letter to the mediator yesterday and it has been received by the South Jakarta District Court in the mediation section that we cannot attend today and we are rescheduling it for next week on Tuesday," added William Rando.

The request for rescheduling has been submitted for next week on Tuesday. The legal counsel provided advance notice to the court as a follow-up to the previous schedule change.

3. The Presence of Sarwendah and Communication Among Legal Representatives

On the other hand, Sarwendah as the defendant still attended the court agenda. William stated that communication among the legal teams had been carried out before today's mediation schedule began.

"Then we, as our obligation as legal representatives, have also informed the defendant's legal representatives, our colleagues in the defendant's legal team, that we cannot be present today. Then the statement from the defendant's legal representatives that they will still be present today," he explained.

William expressed his apologies for his client's absence due to urgent interests. He linked this situation to the sudden change in schedule following the cancellation by the mediator last week.

"Yes, certainly there are urgent interests. Because this week is the mediation that is a result of the cancellation of last week's mediation, which was suddenly canceled by the mediator. So it is indeed sudden, especially for the mediation on this Wednesday," concluded William.

(kpl/phi)