Junior High Student Killed by Vocational School Pupils at Former Kampung Gajah Site, KPAI: Deeply Horrifying

Jakarta — The Indonesian Commission for Child Protection (KPAI) has highlighted the murder case of a student from SMP Negeri 26 Bandung, ZAAQ (14), by two vocational school students YA (16) and AP (17). KPAI described the killing as deeply horrifying.

“We convey our deepest condolences over the death of a child in a murder that occurred in the Bandung area. This incident is an extremely distressing tragedy. We view this case as extreme violence between children that resulted in the loss of a child’s right to life, which from a child protection perspective constitutes a serious violation of a child’s fundamental rights,” said KPAI Commissioner Aris Adi Leksono when contacted on Sunday (15/2/2026).

Aris also highlighted the motive of the two perpetrators, who allegedly killed the victim over a broken friendship. He said this demonstrates how conflicts between students can escalate destructively.

“The stated motive, namely a ‘broken friendship’, shows that social relationship conflicts among adolescents can develop destructively when not accompanied by emotional management skills, adequate adult mentorship, and sufficient conflict resolution education and emotional literacy in schools,” he explained.

Furthermore, Aris described the murder as an extremely horrifying case, noting that a simple conflict between students had escalated dramatically into homicide.

“When a simple conflict develops into premeditated violence leading to murder, this falls into the category of a deeply horrifying and emergency case, as it demonstrates a disproportionate escalation of violence and an extreme loss of empathy,” he stressed.

He urged the state to ensure the victim’s and the family’s rights to justice are upheld. “The legal process must proceed firmly, along with psychological protection for the victim’s family,” he added.

However, he also called on law enforcement to take into account the perpetrators’ status as minors. He said the police must comply with Law No. 11 of 2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System.

“By implementing the principles of the Juvenile Criminal Justice System — the best interests of the child, a restorative justice approach, rehabilitation and guidance. However, it must be emphasised that a child-specific approach does not mean impunity. For serious criminal offences such as murder, the legal process continues in accordance with criminal provisions, through juvenile court mechanisms,” he stressed.

As previously reported, police have arrested YA (16) and AP (17), who are suspected of murdering SMP Negeri 26 Bandung student ZAAQ (14), whose body was found at the former Kampung Gajah site in West Bandung. YA is a vocational school student from Garut.

YA and AP were apprehended by the Mobile Crime Unit of Cimahi Police at their residence in Banyuresmi Village, Garut Regency. Before their arrest, the two suspects had fled to Tasikmalaya. YA is identified as the principal perpetrator in the murder.

Cimahi Police Chief AKBP Niko N Adi Putra said both suspects are still minors. YA is registered as a student at a vocational school in Garut, whilst AP has dropped out of school.

“Both suspects are still minors. YA is a student, whilst AP works as a wedding decorator,” said Niko.

YA and AP allegedly murdered ZAAQ on Monday (9/2/2026) on the grounds of the former Kampung Gajah tourist attraction. ZAAQ’s body was discovered by a witness on Friday evening (13/2).