Suspected Perpetrator of MAN 3 Padang Explosion Called a Victim of Bullying

A student with the initial R has been detained in connection with an explosion at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 3 in Balai Gadang, Koto Tengah, Padang, West Sumatra. The 17-year-old is suspected of being the owner of the homemade bomb that detonated. “A 12th grade student, initial R, was detained, triggered by psychological issues,” said West Sumatra Police Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Susmelawati Rosya. She explained that the suspected perpetrator acted out of desperation after frequently being a victim of bullying at school. “So he retaliated by taking a shortcut, making a low-explosive bomb,” she said.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the National Police’s Densus 88 counter-terrorism unit, Commissioner Mayndra Eka Wardhana, explained that the explosion occurred around 11:30 Western Indonesian Time. School security personnel subsequently discovered an object suspected to be a homemade bomb and reported the incident to the police. “From the initial examination, officers secured several items, including a black box, a black bag, a mobile phone, firecrackers, a knife, arrows, marbles, bolts, and other items,” he said in a written statement.

Mayndra further stated that the perpetrator learned how to make explosives online, inspired by a similar incident at SMAN 72 Jakarta. “The perpetrator also admitted to learning how to make explosives online and was inspired by the bomb incident at SMA Negeri 72 Jakarta in 2025. This motive is still being investigated by the investigative team,” he said. Mayndra confirmed there were no fatalities or injuries in the incident, and the dangerous items have been secured by the police. He added that initial investigations indicate the perpetrator assembled the explosive device himself using materials obtained online and made it at home without his parents’ knowledge. “The perpetrator admitted to having joined several online groups discussing the manufacture of explosives. All these statements are still in the process of verification and further investigation by law enforcement officials,” he said.