The 8-year-old Christian boy from Indonesia died in an appendix that burst on May 26, just days after an elderly Muslim student beat him.
It was unclear whether the be-hit of sophomore student Cristo Perbutalbutal in the village of Blue Ranpai in Sumatra’s Severida district on May 19th killed a kidney that broke the kidneys in the fifth grade.
According to Indonesia’s Antara News Agency, the autopsy released on May 27th explained several bruises on the stomach and thighs of Fristoper, which were caused by blunt trauma, and concluded that he died of an abdominal infection due to a ruptured appendix.
“We also found a leak in our right abdomen,” an officer identified Supriyant as telling Antara. “The cause of death was an abdominal infection due to a ruptured appendix.”
According to news outlet Jawapos.com, his father, Gimson Beni Butarbutar, said his son was bullied for his ethnicity and Christian faith.
“A week ago, he had been bullied a lot,” Gimson reported. “The perpetrator talks about his ethnicity, his religion. It happened before he got sick.”
The bullying peaked on May 19th, with older students beat him by giving his bike flat tires, Wartakotalive.com reported.
“That night, Chris had a high fever, back pain and his lower abdomen was swollen,” Jimson told jawapos.com, adding that his son’s classmate had told him.
According to Catatanriau.com, the neighbor said the bully also kicked Khris’ genitals.
On May 20, Gimson reported the attack on his son to the school and contacted his home-mouth teacher the night after his wife, Shukka Yusnyati Sibarani, SDN 12 Bluelampai Elementary School, Regency, Indragiri Furu.
According to Gimson, the principal of the school, identified only as Sutarno, summoned the perpetrator and his parents to a mediation meeting with Khris’ parents on May 23.
“They admitted to assaulting my son,” he reportedly said.
Khris’ worsening condition prompted his parents to take him to a nearby clinic on May 25th, but due to inadequate facilities he was referred to Pematoang Reba Regional Hospital in the capital of Riau Province, Rengat. He passed away on May 26th at 2:10am.
The autopsy results showed signs of violence in his body, his lower left abdomen and front left upper leg, abdomen, abdominal blood, and abdominal blood, according to Grid.co.
“In addition, blood was found in the adipose tissue beneath the skin in the stomach area, indicating violence using a dull object,” Indragiri Furu police chief Farian Sale Sale Sailegar told reporters on May 27.
The bully’s parents attended his burial, along with several employees from related schools and friends and family.
“The bully’s parents were also at the funeral home,” reported Tribunenews.com. “They expressed their sadness.”
response
Anwar Abbas, vice-chairman of Indonesia’s Ulema Council (Majelis ulama Indonesia, Mui), demonstrated that he believes that bullying contributed to Khris’ tragic death.
“We are very concerned about the behavior of students who are still studying at an elementary school level that is beyond reasonable scope, so our children are dying,” Anwar told Jawapos.com on May 30.
Sabam Shinaga, a member of the National House of Representatives, said bullying must be taken seriously.
“This case involves special handling and bullying issues as it relates to the religion of the school’s minority,” Sabum told Detik.com on May 31.
A member of the Indonesian Child Protection Committee (ICPC) told the media that bullying should be prevented and not tolerated.
“This case must be taken seriously by working simultaneously to end the violence in the education unit,” said Diane Sasmita. “Early detection and quick response are essential to prevent worse effects.”
According to ICPC data, bullying in Indonesian schools has reached an astonishing level, Sekolahmuridmerdeka.id reported. According to the ICPC and the Federation of Indonesian Teachers’ Union (ITUF), 1,478 bullying cases were reported in 2023. This is a significant increase in 266 cases in 2022, 53 cases in 2021, and 119 cases in 2020.
According to Tempo.co, ICPC committee member Aris Adi Leksono revealed that 141 cases of child violence had been reported in early 2024. In particular, 35% of these cases were conducted in schools or educational institutions.
“The consequences of child violence in educational units range from physical/psychological pain, long-term trauma, death, or children ending their lives,” reported Tempo.co.
Indonesian society adopts a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelical outreach risk being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to the open door.
