KDM Proposes Military Barracks Training for May Day Riot Perpetrators in Bandung

Jakarta, VIVA – West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (KDM) has proposed that the student perpetrators of the May Day riots in Bandung, who remain under student status, be rehabilitated through military barracks training.

According to Dedi, this rehabilitation model could serve as one approach to shaping national understanding and discipline.

“They could later be directed to join the military barracks education programme so they understand the direction of this nation and what must be done,” said Dedi Mulyadi in Sumedang, as reported by ANTARA on Monday, 4 May 2026.

Dedi Mulyadi explained that handling the case must consider legal aspects under the Criminal Code (KUHP), especially if it involves minors.

“We look at the legal aspects. It includes rehabilitation; we examine the KUHP aspects, meaning penalties for minors,” he stated.

He added that, in addition to legal processes, the government is also opening options for rehabilitation through discipline-based character education programmes, including military-style barracks training.

Furthermore, his side mentioned that there will be 250 participants in the military barracks programme in June, including student council chairpersons, who will undergo the rehabilitation programme.

“In June, there will be around 250 people, including student council chairpersons, who will participate in the military barracks education. They could join to be rehabilitated,” he said.

Previously reported, six out of seven people arrested following the clashes during International Labour Day (May Day) 2026 on Friday, 1 May 2026, in Bandung City, have been designated as suspects.

The suspects are alleged to have carried out anarchic actions that caused damage to several public facilities in the Tamansari area. This was revealed by the Head of Public Relations of the West Java Police, Commissioner General of Police Hendra Rochmawan.

“The action resulted in the burning of one videotron unit, one police post, and damage to public facilities such as traffic lights,” he said on Saturday, 2 May 2026.

The six, mostly students—MRN (21), MRA (17), RS (19), MFNA (19), FAP (21), and HIS (20)—have been designated after intensive examinations.

“They have been proven to have committed criminal acts of arson, incitement, and destruction jointly,” he said.