House Commission III Calls for Strengthened Early Detection of Terror Threats After Padang School Blast
Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission III, Ahmad Sahroni, has called on stakeholders to strengthen early detection systems against potential terror threats. His statement follows a case involving an explosion at MAN 3 Padang in West Sumatra, which was allegedly carried out by a student who was a victim of bullying.
“Lone wolf actions like this are very dangerous because they are difficult to predict. I ask Densus 88, intelligence agencies, and related institutions to be responsible for strengthening early detection of such threats,” he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
He added that all parties must be sensitive to potential terror threats. Supervision by those around family members, including students, must be maximised.
Furthermore, he stated that the role of the police and the community security and order supervisors (Bhabinkamtibmas) must be optimised to educate the public about the dangers of radical ideologies and deviant beliefs. “Prevention and early detection are key. The police and related agencies must strengthen education within the community because family and school remain the first fortress for children,” he said.
According to him, any behavioural changes or indications of exposure to radical understanding must be addressed from an early stage. “If it has reached the point of carrying out a terror act, the authorities must of course act decisively,” he said.
Previously, the National Police’s Densus 88 Anti-terror unit revealed that the suspected perpetrator of the explosion at MAN 3 Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday (14/7) was a 17-year-old student. Densus 88 spokesperson Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana said the incident began when school security officers found an object suspected to be a homemade bomb on the school grounds. “From the initial examination at the scene, officers secured several items including a black box, a black bag, a mobile phone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts, and several other items,” Mayndra said in a statement. Police disclosed that the perpetrator intended to vent his emotions after experiencing years of bullying.