FISIP dean apologizes

DEPOK: Dean of the University of Indonesia school of social and political science (FISIP) Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri apologized on Tuesday for the beating of lecturers Reni Chandriachsja and Chusnul Mar'iyah.

"We shall discuss the matter internally tonight and then talk to our students. We hope there will no more problems," Gumilar said.

Reni, the former secretary of the school's graduate program, and Chusnul, the former head of its political science department, were reportedly punched by sons of Iberamsyah, the new head of the political science department.

The beating occurred a week ago on Tuesday when dozens of FISIP students staged a demonstration to object to Iberamsyah's appointment.

Reni and Chusnul, who were standing among the students, were punched by Iberamsyah's son, Heryansyah, an alumnus of FISIP in 1994, and Nirwansyah, a student at the university law school.-JP