Beware of Bullying: New Criminal Code Threatens 4 Years in Prison

JAKARTA - Bullying or bullying that leads to the victim's suicide can result in criminal liability. Article 462 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Code of Criminal Procedure (KUHAP) regulates sanctions for parties who encourage or assist in such actions.

The criminal provision in the Criminal Code which has been in force since January 2, 2026 opens up room for legal accountability for parties who play a role in the suicide of others.

"Anyone who encourages, assists, or provides means for another person to commit suicide and the person dies as a result of suicide shall be sentenced to a maximum of 4 years in prison," reads Article 462 of the Criminal Code.

This article places the role of third parties as the main element. The act of "encouraging" is not narrowly defined as a physical act, but also includes psychological pressure, intimidation, or treatment that consciously affects the victim's mental state.

In this context, bullying actions are relevant to be analyzed, as seen in a number of bullying cases that lead to death, such as students who commit suicide due to prolonged bullying at school, victims of online bullying (cyberbullying) who experience extreme mental pressure until ending their lives, as well as cases of verbal and social violence in the educational and work environments that trigger severe depression and suicide.