Padang Student Bomb Maker Allegedly Suffered Psychological Pressure, Bullied for a Year

Police have revealed new facts behind the actions of a student identified as R (17), who allegedly detonated a homemade bomb at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 Padang, West Sumatra. Preliminary investigations indicate the teenager had been a victim of bullying at his school for approximately one year. The Head of Public Relations for the West Sumatra Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Susmelawati Rosya, stated that the suspect’s actions were likely an accumulation of deep psychological pressure. “It is possibly an accumulation of a profound psychological burden,” she said on Thursday, 16 July 2026. According to Susmelawati, R confessed to experiencing bullying since he was in Year 11, which continued into Year 12. However, police are still investigating the specific forms of bullying he endured. Examinations also revealed that R independently learned how to assemble bombs via the internet from Ramadan until April 2026. The materials used to make the homemade bomb were also purchased online. “Indeed, he admitted to learning autodidactically,” Susmelawati stated. Despite this, police have confirmed that no indications have been found linking R to terrorist networks. Investigators believe the perpetrator acted alone and was not affiliated with any group. Currently, the police are prioritising psychological rehabilitation for R to prevent further negative influences. Assistance is also being provided to the victims and school community affected by the incident. “The Chief of Police has coordinated and collaborated with local government agencies for the recovery and rehabilitation of victims. This is currently a top priority,” she said. The incident occurred on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, at MAN 3 Koto Tangah, Padang. The National Police’s Densus 88 counter-terrorism unit initially revealed that the explosion originated from a homemade bomb made by the student. Initial investigations found that R admitted to learning how to assemble explosives online and was inspired by a similar incident at SMAN 72 Jakarta in 2025.