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

Child and family psychologist Sani Budiantini Hermawan has stated that the excuse of a ‘prank’ cannot be used to justify sending bomb threats to schools, as every person must understand the consequences of their behaviour. “When a behaviour causes concern for others, makes them uncomfortable, or even causes public alarm, it can no longer be called a prank,” Sani said when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday. The graduate of the master’s programme at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia, believes that everyone needs to be aware of the impact of their actions to avoid causing harm to others. According to Sani, the boundary of a joke can be seen from its impact. A joke should bring joy, help people relax, without triggering anxiety or behaviour with negative consequences. “Does it cause harm or violate the law, for example, or breach the norms prevailing in the environment? 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 resulting consequences cause harm, whether psychological or material. “Therefore, a behaviour must still be viewed by its boundaries, its purpose, and its impact. We cannot trivialise a prank wrapped in the excuse of a joke when it can alarm many people,” Sani stated. A man in Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, sent a message containing a bomb threat to SDN Srengseng Sawah 15 Pagi on Monday (13/7), coinciding with the first day of the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS) at the school. The perpetrator, with the initials MY, who has been named a suspect, claimed he carried out the act as a prank. The incident has been handled by the police and the school was declared safe on Monday morning. The head of SDN Srengseng Sawah 15 Pagi, Kamtono, stated on Tuesday (14/7) that the situation at the school was conducive.