Parents of Riau Undergraduate Appreciate Police Swift Action in Stabbing Case
Nova Erlina (56), the mother of F (23), a student at Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarief Kasim (UIN Suska) in Riau, has expressed appreciation to police authorities for their handling of the stabbing case involving her daughter. Nova thanked the police for their swift action, which enabled the perpetrator to be apprehended and the victim to be rescued.
“I am very grateful to the police and hospital who from the beginning have assisted with a swift process, so that my child could receive prompt treatment,” said Nova in Pekanbaru on Monday (2 March 2026).
Thanks to the rapid response of the police and hospital, F is now recovering. She hopes her daughter will soon recover both physically and psychologically.
“Praise be to God, thanks to their assistance and hard work, my child’s condition has begun to improve by today. I hope that in future her condition will continue to improve and the trauma she has experienced will soon disappear,” she added.
Nova also expressed hope that the university would provide attention regarding this matter.
“I also hope that the university can provide attention and cooperate in handling the problems my child is facing, so that this matter can be resolved properly,” she explained.
Condition Improving
F is currently recovering at RSUD Arifin Achmad. Her condition continues to improve after undergoing surgery for stabbing wounds to the head and arm.
“Regarding my child’s progress, praise be to God, every day shows advancement. Today she has already begun to be able to stand and no longer needs to urinate in bed, but can go to the bathroom on her own. As for eating, there is no significant problem. Only if she eats too much, she feels slightly nauseated,” she explained.
Suspect’s Remorse
Student R (21) was detained by police after stabbing F (23) just before her thesis defence. The perpetrator admitted to regretting his actions.
“Currently the suspect has expressed deep remorse and wants to repent, as well as draw closer spiritually whilst undergoing the legal process,” said Kombes Zahwani Pandra Arsyad, Head of the Public Relations Division of Riau’s Regional Police (Polda Riau), on Monday (2 March).
Pandra stated that the suspect had planned the assault. The suspect prepared a sharp weapon one day before the victim’s thesis defence session.
“From the investigation results, this action was premeditated. The intention emerged since 2025, whilst the sharp weapon was prepared one day before the incident, ahead of the victim’s thesis defence on 26 February 2026,” he explained.
The suspect is currently detained at Pekanbaru Regional Police (Polresta Pekanbaru). For his actions, the suspect faces a maximum prison sentence of 12 years.
“This case is being processed under Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code with layered charges, including Article 469 of the Criminal Code. The maximum threatened sentence reaches 12 years imprisonment,” he explained.
The stabbing incident occurred on the second floor of the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Law at UIN Suska on Thursday morning (26 February). At that time, the victim was waiting for her thesis defence when she was suddenly stabbed by the perpetrator, who was also a student.