Two Students Named Suspects in USK Aceh Agriculture Faculty Arson
Two students suspected of involvement in the damage and burning of the Faculty of Agriculture building at Syiah Kuala University (USK) in Aceh have been named suspects. They are identified as WS (22) and MAM (20).
The suspect status was confirmed after Banda Aceh City Police Department investigators interviewed 18 witnesses. Both are students from USK’s Faculty of Engineering.
Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit at Banda Aceh City Police Department, Kompol Miftahuda Dizha Fezuono, stated the two students are suspected of directly participating in the attack and destruction that led to the burning of several facilities at USK’s Faculty of Agriculture.
“Correct (two suspects). Following the examination of 18 witnesses and a case review, we have named WS and MAM as suspects in the damage and arson case involving USK’s Faculty of Agriculture and other facilities,” Dizha told reporters on Saturday (30 May).
According to Dizha, WS is suspected of acting as the field coordinator during the attack and destruction, while MAM is believed to be one of the direct perpetrators.
Police are charging the suspects under Sections 262, 308, 521, and 522 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.
In addition to naming suspects, investigators have seized evidence including three severely damaged motorcycles, two broken bottles suspected to be used as Molotov cocktails, one intact Molotov cocktail, clothing allegedly worn by the perpetrators during the incident, and a CCTV DVR from the Faculty of Agriculture.
Dizha said the investigation is ongoing, with police set to interview 18 additional witnesses soon.
“If all new witnesses attend and provide statements, the total number of interviewed witnesses will reach 36, including the two suspects,” he added.
Preliminary investigations indicate the conflict began from tensions between Agriculture and Engineering faculty students several days before the arson incident.
On 18 May 2026, Agriculture faculty students heading to a demonstration at the Aceh Governor’s Office reportedly passed in front of the Engineering faculty while revving their vehicles.
On the same day, a disturbance occurred at the USK Student Executive Board (BEM) office, resulting in an Engineering student sustaining injuries requiring medical treatment.
Despite mediation efforts by the university, the conflict escalated. On 21 May at around 00:20 WIB, a group of Agriculture faculty students allegedly attacked the Engineering faculty, causing damage and minor injuries.
This led to a retaliatory attack. Around 04:00 WIB, Engineering students attacked the Agriculture faculty by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, resulting in damage and fire to several buildings and laboratories.
Dizha confirmed the incident was an internal student conflict within USK and did not involve students from other universities.
“The disturbances were purely a conflict between USK students from the Agriculture and Engineering faculties, with no involvement from other universities within Banda Aceh Police’s jurisdiction,” he said.