Aceh – Indonesia, there is no grief deeper than that of parents burying their child. But no one can predict the future, including Nurlaila, when she sent off her son, Muhammad Rasya Fadhilla, to pursue his education at the Malahayati Merchant Marine Polytechnic.

Every parent hopes their children will grow up, become independent, and bring value to others. Instead, Nurlaila received tragic news about her son. News of his death.

This is why the management of Poltekpel Malahayati must be transparent. They must disclose every single detail of the incident that led to Rasya’s death, including allegations of physical assault committed by several individuals during Rasya’s orientation period at his new campus, ensuring there are no remaining loopholes for bullies.

The polytechnic management owes an explanation to the public, especially to the parents of the students at that campus, to reveal all perpetrators who caused Rasya’s severe injuries and ultimate demise. No one involved in this matter deserves protection, regardless of who their parents are or how much power their parents hold.

The alleged crime Rasya suffered is a practice that should no longer exist in educational institutions, whether boarding or non-boarding. Education is a means to hone social sensitivity—to elevate human dignity so one understands how to treat fellow human beings and nature, not a tool to bully others.

The police should also act more swiftly to uncover this incident and bring Rasya’s bullies to justice, without favoring anyone. Rasya’s family deserves retribution, and the constitutional path to that justice begins with a police investigation and ends with a court verdict.

Protecting children to cover up their wrongdoing is tantamount to raising cowards. The nation needs no additional cowards—criminals who are bold only in crowds, not because they are right. Rasya should be the last victim. Do not let monsters roam free in this land governed by Islamic law.***