A 10-year-old elementary school boy in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, died by suicide on January 29, 2026, after his mother could not afford books and pens costing Rp10,000. The boy left a touching farewell letter to his mother. The incident has drawn attention from government officials calling for improved social support.
The tragic incident occurred in Dusun Sawasina, Desa Naruwolo, Kecamatan Jerebuu, Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. YBS, a 10-year-old fourth-grade elementary school student, was found dead by hanging from a clove tree near a simple hut in the garden where he lived with his grandmother on Thursday afternoon, January 29, 2026.
The night before, on January 28, 2026, YBS stayed at his mother MGT's (47 years old) house in a neighboring village. He asked for Rp10,000 to buy books and pens, but his mother, who works as a farmer and does odd jobs, said she lacked funds due to the family's limited economic situation. MGT is a single parent raising five children, including YBS, after the boy's father died while she was pregnant.
Police found a handwritten note from YBS in the Bajawa language, translated as: "Letter for Mama. Mama, I'm going first. Mama, let me go. Don't cry, Mama. No need for Mama to cry and look for me. Goodbye, Mama." The letter ended with a crying emoji.
The incident caught the attention of Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul. On February 3, 2026, in Jakarta, he expressed concern and condolences. "Of course we're saddened, our deepest condolences," he said. Gus Ipul urged strengthening community data so the government can reach families needing rehabilitation, protection, and empowerment.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhaimin Iskandar, or Cak Imin, viewed the event as a wake-up call for the government and society. "This must be a wake-up call, our vigilance... The government must be alert, society must unite in mutual assistance," he stated on the same day. He emphasized the need to address the roots of social frustration.
