The quiet academic halls of SMPN 19 Tangsel have been rocked by tragedy as a 13-year-old student, Muhamad Hisyam (MH), succumbed to injuries allegedly sustained from bullying within the school premises. Hisyam passed away on Sunday, November 16, after a week-long battle for his life in hospital, prompting an immediate and extensive police investigation into the grave incident.
Responding to the escalating concerns, Tangsel Police Chief AKBP Victor Inkiriwang confirmed that authorities have already interviewed six individuals pertinent to the case. While declining to disclose their specific identities, Victor indicated that these witnesses include members of the school administration and faculty. He further noted that the police are awaiting the family’s readiness to proceed with more in-depth investigative procedures.
AKBP Inkiriwang assured the public that the case would be handled with utmost professionalism, emphasizing that the legal process would strictly adhere to prevailing regulations. “We will ascertain whether a criminal act has indeed occurred, and concurrently, we will investigate whether the victim’s illness is linked to the alleged criminal acts,” Victor stated from the victim’s grieving home on Sunday, November 16. The investigation’s thoroughness extends to consulting expert witnesses from the hospitals that provided initial and subsequent treatment to the seventh-grade student, acknowledging the sequence of medical care, including at Fatmawati Hospital after an earlier facility.
In due course, the victim’s parents are also slated to provide their testimonies to investigators, though a specific date for their questioning has yet to be finalized. “A schedule will be arranged for the victim’s parents to give their statements to the investigators,” Victor confirmed, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the inquiry.
KPAI Calls for Clarity on Cause of Death
Amidst these developments, Diyah Puspitarini, a Commissioner with the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), stressed the imperative for the legal process to unfold and for the precise cause of the victim’s death to be unequivocally revealed. “We earnestly hope the legal process proceeds. The rights of the deceased child—to ascertain the cause of death and to be free from negative stigma—must be upheld,” she asserted on Sunday, November 16, when contacted for comment.
Diyah reiterated that KPAI fully entrusts the investigative process to the police, recognizing their primary authority in probing such matters. “We defer to the more competent law enforcement authorities,” she added. Expressing profound sorrow over the incident, Diyah offered her condolences, stating, “We are deeply concerned by this incident, and we pray for the eternal peace of the child.”
Bullying Victim Suffered Blurred Vision and Paralysis-like Symptoms
Prior reports indicated that MH had been subjected to bullying by classmates, allegedly commencing as early as the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS). The alleged abuse reached a critical point on Monday, October 20, when the victim’s head was reportedly struck with an iron chair.
Rizki, the victim’s older brother, recounted the grim aftermath, stating that MH’s physical condition deteriorated dramatically following the chair incident. The seventh-grade student’s body became severely impaired, exhibiting symptoms akin to paralysis. “The worst part was being hit on the head with a chair. The victim only revealed everything when his condition became critical. He never spoke about other incidents, but this time he dared to because he felt excruciating pain,” Rizki shared on Monday, November 10.
MH was initially admitted to a private hospital in Tangsel, Rizki disclosed. However, as his condition worsened, he was urgently referred to Fatmawati Hospital in South Jakarta. Rizki vividly described his brother’s distressing state: “His current condition was extremely concerning. He couldn’t walk, his entire body was weak, his vision was slightly blurred, he frequently fainted, and he refused to eat.”
Tragically, Muhamad Hisyam passed away on Sunday morning, November 16, at Fatmawati Hospital, after a relentless decline in his health. He was laid to rest in the family cemetery in Ciater, Serpong, later that same afternoon, leaving behind a community in shock and demanding answers.
Summary
A 13-year-old student, Muhamad Hisyam (MH), from SMPN 19 Tangsel, died on November 16 after a week in hospital, allegedly due to injuries sustained from bullying. Tangsel Police are investigating, having interviewed six individuals including school staff, to determine if a criminal act occurred and if it caused MH’s death. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) emphasized the importance of revealing the precise cause of death and upholding the deceased child’s rights.
MH was reportedly bullied since the School Environment Introduction Period (MPLS), with a critical incident on October 20 where his head was allegedly hit with an iron chair. Following this, his health rapidly declined, exhibiting paralysis-like symptoms, blurred vision, weakness, and frequent fainting. He was hospitalized, eventually at Fatmawati Hospital, where he tragically passed away.