Padang school bomb incident not ordinary delinquency: House Speaker Puan Maharani

House Speaker Puan Maharani has characterized the recent bomb-making incident at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Padang, West Sumatra, not as ordinary teenage misbehavior, but as a serious warning sign. She believes the case indicates a fundamental shift in the nature of adolescent issues, escalating towards high-risk behaviors in the digital age.

“

Various issues that have been considered teenage delinquency have evolved into high-risk behaviors that can threaten the safety of many people.

The alleged perpetrator, a 17-year-old student at the school who reportedly experienced bullying, is suspected of assembling and detonating a bomb on campus. Maharani suggested a link between the student's psychological state and his actions, emphasizing that while the act is unjustifiable, understanding the underlying reasons is crucial. She urged stakeholders not to overlook the student's mental condition, stating that psychological issues often have profound impacts and that mental recovery should be a priority.

Maharani pointed out that such cases reveal multiple risk factors, including bullying, psychological pressure, social isolation, exposure to violent digital content, and weak communication between schools, families, and health services. These factors often develop over time without identification, she noted.

“

What the victim did cannot be justified. But often psychological problems have an impact, so the mental recovery of the victim must be a priority.

To address this, Maharani called for improved government coordination among schools, health facilities, local governments, law enforcement, and relevant ministries. This system aims to detect and manage risk factors before they escalate into violence. She advocated for a shift from reactive disciplinary measures to a comprehensive, preventive strategy, emphasizing that a national strategy for preventing risky behavior in children and adolescents should integrate policies across education, health, child protection, digital security, and family guidance.

“

Child protection must no longer operate sectorally, but must be built as an interconnected system with clear working mechanisms.