Cadet dies with bruising; Poltekpel denies violence
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - Politeknik Pelayaran (Poltekpel) Malahayati Banda Aceh has asserted that there was no violence during the orientation activities for prospective cadets following the death of Muhammad Rasya Fadhillah (18), a case that remains under police investigation.
“The orientation activities were neither designed nor implemented to involve any form of violence. Similarly, routine campus activities do not involve interactions between seniors and juniors as an effort to prevent the potential for bullying,” said the Director of Poltekpel Malayati Banda Aceh, Andi Fiardi, in Aceh Besar on Wednesday.
This statement was made in relation to Rasya’s death after undergoing treatment at RSUD dr Zainoel Abidin (RSUDZA) Banda Aceh on Sunday (27/9).
Police previously noted that there were bruises and red rashes on the victim’s body. However, the exact cause of Rasya’s death is still awaiting the results of medical and forensic examinations.
Andi stated that the character-building orientation for 251 prospective cadets took place from 4–14 September 2026, whereas Rasya began experiencing health complaints on Saturday (26/9).
Poltekpel Malhayati, Andi continued, has conducted an internal investigation regarding Rasya’s death and has submitted several documents, including health history data, to the police.
“We have conducted an internal investigation. We are not hiding or protecting anything if allegations of violence do indeed occur,” he said.
Regarding the bruises on the victim’s body, Andi stated that the campus cannot conclude whether the condition is related to suspected violence or other factors.
“It is not the school’s authority to determine this; perhaps the hospital or the Banda Aceh City Police will be able to answer this allegation,” he said.
“The medical cause of death is still awaiting the results of examinations and the visum et repertum from the authorities,” he added.
He emphasised that any activities involving physical violence are not tolerated within the Poltekpel Malhayati environment.
“We do not tolerate any form of violence. If there is violence, we will take immediate action,” he said.
Banda Aceh City Police are currently investigating Rasya’s death.
Examination results showed the victim’s blood pressure was 131/74 mmHg, pulse rate was 104 beats per minute, and body temperature reached 39.7 degrees Celsius.
The victim received medical treatment before being referred to RSUDZA after an increasing number of red rashes appeared on his body.
Police have coordinated with forensic doctors at RSUDZA to conduct an external examination through a visum et repertum and a CT scan of the deceased.
The examination did not proceed to an autopsy as the family did not grant permission. The police stated that the exact cause of Rasya’s death is still awaiting the results of medical and forensic examinations.