Psychologist: 'Prank' excuse cannot justify bomb threats to schools

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Child and family psychologist Sani Budiantini Hermawan has said that the excuse of acting ‘for fun’ cannot be used to justify sending bomb threats to schools, because everyone must understand the consequences of their behaviour.

“When behaviour already worries other people in the environment, causes discomfort or even public alarm, that behaviour cannot be called a joke,” Sani said when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The graduate of the master’s programme at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Indonesia believes that everyone needs to be aware of the impact of every action they take so that it does not cause harm to others.

According to Sani, the boundary of a joke can be seen from its effects. A joke should create a sense of enjoyment, make people more relaxed, and not trigger alarm or behaviour with negative consequences.

“Does it, for instance, cause losses or break the law, or violate the norms that apply in the community? That is the boundary,” she said.

Sani added that an action still cannot be justified even if the perpetrator claims to have had no malicious intent, if the consequences cause harm, whether psychological or material.

“That is why a behaviour must still be assessed within its limits — what its purpose is and what its impact is. We cannot take lightly mischief wrapped up as a joke when it can alarm many people,” said Sani.

A man in Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, sent a message containing a bomb threat to SDN Srengseng Sawah 15 Pagi on Monday (13 July), coinciding with the first day of the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) at the school. The perpetrator, who has the initials MY and has been named a suspect, claimed he carried out the act on a whim.

The incident has been handled by the police and the school was declared safe on Monday (13 July) morning. On Tuesday (14 July), the head of SDN Srengseng Sawah 15 Pagi, Kamtono, stated that the situation at the school was conducive.