Rieke “Oneng” Sees Something Wrong in Handling Sexual Harassment at UI Law Faculty

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of Commission XIII of the House of Representatives from the PDI-Perjuangan faction, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, senses that something is amiss in the handling of the sexual harassment case against 16 students at the Faculty of Law (FH), University of Indonesia (UI). Recently, those 16 students were temporarily suspended from UI. “Those are campuses that are my alma mater, University of Indonesia, for my bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, a whole bunch of my family members up to my nieces and nephews are all there. Yesterday it was buzzing, and there’s something I have to say, this is an opportunity to say it. Earlier I discussed with LBH APIK, with LPSK, about there being something wrong with the handling of sexual violence on campus,” said Rieke in the Gaspol Kompas.com programme, quoted on Wednesday (22/4/2026). After that, the sexual harassment case was considered resolved just like that. “Then in some institutions, because the perpetrator involves someone from a state institution, it’s enough with just an apology,” she said. The legislator, also known as Oneng from her role in a television comedy, stated that in the Sexual Violence Crimes Law (UU TPKS), the categories of sexual violence are clearly defined, what is included, what is not, and what can be settled with just an apology. She mentioned that even if someone just whistles, the person feeling harassed can already sue the perpetrator. “Moreover, then the case is a case that in my opinion in this latest case is a form of sexual violence that goes beyond our expectations. The students can do that,” said Rieke, who holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree from UI. “In some cases, the indication is that parents are only informed at the end, when there is a suspension sanction or… Well, this is an SOP that in my view needs to be dismantled, needs to be fixed. There is already a sexual violence committee to handle sexual violence cases on campus,” she continued. “If that is already a sexual crime with a quite extreme level, that is not something that should be covered up. Especially when the victim states they are ready. They are ready to be opened to the public, open it. Call their parents,” added Rieke. Previously, FH UI imposed sanctions on the 16 perpetrators in the form of temporary suspension. This means that the 16 students are not permitted to participate in all educational activities and teaching and learning processes, including lectures, academic guidance, or other activities related to academic activities. They are also not allowed to be in the campus environment, except for examination purposes by the PPK Task Force or other urgent matters that cannot be delayed. “This step is taken as part of the university’s commitment to ensure the examination process runs objectively, to protect all parties involved, and to maintain a conducive academic environment,” said UI’s Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Relations, Erwin Agustian Pangaribuan, quoted from Kompas.com on Thursday (16/4/2026). UI also imposed sanctions limiting the perpetrators’ involvement in student organisation activities. Although temporary in nature, the campus side assured that the suspension is not the final sanction. Instead, this punishment is only the initial part of the administrative process during the examination.