Golkar Faction: Strengthen Reporting Systems, Make Campuses Safe Spaces
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Golkar Party faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives, Muhammad Sarmuji, stressed that universities must become safe spaces through the strengthening of secure and independent reporting systems, maximum protection for victims, and transparency in handling cases at every higher education institution.
“Universities must return to being safe spaces, not places filled with fear,” said Sarmuji in a written statement in Jakarta on Monday.
He made the statement as an expression of concern and anger over several sexual violence cases that have resurfaced in higher education environments throughout April 2026.
Sarmuji, who also serves as the Secretary General of the Golkar Party, urged the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology not to stop at regulations alone but to ensure effective implementation and oversight across all universities.
“Regulations already exist, but their implementation is weak. What is needed now is the courage to enforce the rules and protect victims,” he said.
He assessed that several cases occurring at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta State University, Padjadjaran University, Budi Luhur University, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University, and Bandung Institute of Technology indicate that campuses can no longer be considered safe and comfortable spaces for students.
“This is no longer just one or two rogue individuals. This is a ‘loud alarm’ that universities have failed in their basic function as safe educational spaces. If cases continue to recur across various universities, it means there is something systemically wrong, and campus leaders are unable to create an atmosphere that protects students,” he said.
“Students are in a vulnerable position. When protection is absent from the institution, the university becomes a frightening place rather than a place of learning,” he added.
He emphasised that such incidents are not new, as in recent years, the public has also been shocked by various sexual violence cases at several renowned universities in Indonesia.
However, according to him, the recurring pattern without significant improvements shows a lack of commitment from institutions to undertake comprehensive reforms.
“We must no longer normalise such incidents. Every case is an institutional failure,” said Sarmuji.
He added that sexual violence cases on campuses must also be understood as a phenomenon much larger than what appears on the surface.
“What is revealed to the public today is merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’ phenomenon that seems to be only a portion of the reality,” he said.
Sarmuji stated that the Golkar Party faction is pushing for firmer policies, including the possibility of imposing sanctions on the highest university leaders if they are proven to have failed in creating a safe campus environment.
“Clear sanction mechanisms need to be considered. If a sexual harassment case occurs at a university, the leadership cannot wash their hands of it. That is an indicator of leadership failure,” he said.