JP/5/stpdn
JP/5/stpdn
STPDN catches headlines again
Yuli Tri Suwarni
The Jakarta Post/bandung
Controversy has again hit the Institute of Public Administration
(STPDN) in Sumedang, West Java, in connection with bullying by
senior students.
Ichsan S., a 19-year-old student from Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam, is undergoing psychological counseling at Al-Islam
hospital in the West Java capital of Bandung.
Ichsan's father, Capt. Hanafiah, who is the West Langsa
district military chief in Aceh, said on Monday that doctors had
recommended that his son undergo two months' of counseling.
Hanafiah said that Ichsan told him, doctors and police that he
had been bullied by a group of senior students from Aceh on Oct.
16 at around 1 a.m.
The senior student was reportedly ordered to carry a 20-
kilogram barbell with one hand, Hanafiah added. "My son is not
very strong and was unable to hold the weights up. The barbell
fell on his head."
Hanafiah met STPDN administrators on Monday and asked them to
take responsibility for the incident by taking action against his
son's tormentors.
Sumedang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Yoyok Subagiono, who
visited Ichsan at Al-Islam hospital on Monday, said his office
had identified the suspects in the case.
"Based on a medical examination, the victim is suffering
psychological trauma due to the violence perpetrated against him.
But he has no physical injuries," Yoyok said.
He said the police would summon the suspects for questioning
within two days.
STPDN head I Nyoman Sumaryadi said he would also investigate
the case, confirming that Ichsan was hit by a barbell.
The institute, which imposes military-style discipline on its
students, made headlines last year when SCTV television station
broadcast video footage of brutality there, which caused the
death of Wahyu Hidayat, who was beaten by 20 seniors.
More than 10 STPDN students were jailed over the death. Wahyu
was not the first victim of student violence at the institute.
Three years ago, student Erie Rakhman died after being beaten by
seniors.