A heart-wrenching tragedy struck Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Thursday, January 29th, when a 10-year-old fourth-grade elementary school student, identified by his initials YBS, was found dead by suicide. The devastating incident occurred in the afternoon, near a clove tree not far from the humble hut where the victim lived with his approximately 80-year-old grandmother, in Sawasina Hamlet, Naruwolo Village, Jerebuu District.
During the crime scene investigation, police discovered a handwritten letter, strongly believed to have been penned by YBS before his death. The poignant note, addressed to his mother and written in the local Ngada language, contained a farewell message, imploring her not to cry, and was accompanied by a small drawing of a crying face.
Ipda Benediktus E. Pissort, Head of Public Relations for the Ngada Police, confirmed the discovery of the letter. “Based on a comparison with the victim’s handwriting in his school books, investigators found a match. The letter is suspected to have been written by the victim,” he stated, underscoring the tragic authenticity of the child’s final words.
Discovery and a Somber Morning Sighting
Kornelis Dopo, 59, a witness, recounted that around 11:00 AM WITA, he was on his way to tie up his buffalo near the victim’s grandmother’s hut when he noticed YBS hanging from a tree in the distance. Overwhelmed, Kornelis immediately ran to the road, shouting for help. Residents quickly gathered, and the incident was subsequently reported to the police.
Other witnesses, Gregorius Kodo, 35, and Rofina Bera, 34, revealed that earlier that morning, around 08:00 AM WITA, they had seen YBS sitting sadly on a traditional bench in front of the hut. When asked why he wasn’t at school and about his grandmother’s whereabouts, YBS simply bowed his head, visibly distressed and offering no reply.
An Unfulfilled Plea: A Desire for Books and Pens
Insights from family members and local residents painted a picture of YBS’s extremely limited economic circumstances. His biological father had passed away while YBS was still in utero, and he was the child of his mother’s third marriage. YBS had been living with his elderly grandmother, while his mother and stepfather resided in a neighboring village with their five other children.
Just the day before the incident, YBS had stayed overnight at his mother’s house. He made a simple request for money to buy books and pens, a plea that, heartbreakingly, could not be fulfilled as his mother had no funds. The following morning, around 06:00 AM WITA, YBS was escorted back to his grandmother’s hut by an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver.
Economic Hardship Suspected as Tragic Motive
Irjen Pol Rudi Darmoko, the Chief of the NTT Regional Police, stated that the preliminary suspicion for YBS’s suicide points towards economic pressure. “The temporary motive is economic problems and disappointment. However, we are still investigating this further,” he explained, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the inquiry. In response to the tragedy, the NTT Regional Police announced they would dispatch a team of psychologists to provide crucial support and counseling to the victim’s family. This psychosocial assistance is scheduled to take place from February 4th to 8th, 2026, in Nenowea Village, Jerebuu District.
Widespread Government Response: A Call to Action
The tragic death of YBS has resonated deeply, triggering a widespread response from both central and regional governments.
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin announced the government’s plans to deploy clinical psychologists to Puskesmas (community health centers) to address children’s mental health issues. “We have started screening children’s mental health and found that approximately 10 million children have mental health problems,” he revealed, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
Coordinating Minister for Human Empowerment, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin), asserted that this case must serve as a stark alarm for the nation, urging greater responsiveness to the fundamental needs of impoverished citizens. “If there are simple needs like stationery, they must be quickly identified and assisted. Economic limitations should not be allowed to go unaddressed,” he stressed.
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) reported that the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) had dispatched an assessment team to Ngada and provided assistance totaling IDR 9 million. This aid package included condolences, basic necessities, nutrition, and clothing. Efforts are also being made to secure educational support for YBS’s two older siblings, ensuring they can continue their schooling.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) expressed its profound condolences. Deputy Minister Atip Latipulhayat noted that YBS was a recipient of the Indonesia Smart Program (PIP) but emphasized that child protection extends beyond mere financial aid. “Psychosocial support and a supportive environment are equally important,” he affirmed.
Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, viewed the tragedy as a harsh warning to the state. “This child’s death demonstrates that mental health and the fulfillment of children’s basic needs must be prioritized,” she declared.
Minister of State Secretariat, Prasetyo Hadi, underscored the critical need to improve data for social aid recipients and enhance the role of village officials, ensuring that no vulnerable citizens are overlooked by the social safety net.
At the regional level, NTT Governor Melki Laka Lena candidly acknowledged the weaknesses within the social protection system, particularly citing issues with population administration that resulted in the victim’s family not being registered for assistance. “We cannot allow someone to go without help just because of paperwork,” he stated passionately. The NTT Provincial Government has committed to supporting the construction of a decent home for the victim’s family and to overhauling the early detection system for vulnerable families, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Summary
A 10-year-old elementary student, YBS, tragically died by suicide in Ngada Regency, NTT, on January 29th. Police found a handwritten farewell letter believed to be from him, addressed to his mother. The preliminary motive is suspected to be economic pressure, following his mother’s inability to fulfill his simple request for books and pens the day before. He had been living with his elderly grandmother amidst challenging circumstances.
This tragic event, stemming from YBS’s dire economic situation, has prompted a significant response from both central and regional governments. Officials acknowledged systemic weaknesses in social protection and mental health support for children. Various ministries are deploying psychologists, providing aid, improving data for social assistance, and committing to overhaul early detection systems to prevent similar future tragedies.