Suspended student sues UI rector

Suspended student sues UI rector

JAKARTA (JP): A University of Indonesia medical student who has been suspended since last November has submitted a lawsuit against the university rector.

"We are objecting to the rector's decision which refused to comply with the Jakarta State Administrative Court's order to allow Rifardi to attend lectures while the case is being processed," lawyer Risma Situmorang told The Jakarta Post yesterday after a closed hearing during which the lawsuit was presented.

Rifardi Rifiar, a sixth year student at the University of Indonesia medical school, was suspended indefinitely on Nov. 2, 1995 on the grounds that he had allegedly beaten seven first-year students for moving his car without permission.

A doctor presented as a witness told a previous court hearing that the physical damage reported was caused by muscle cramp from lifting the car and not from a physical beating.

Early last December, the university rector Tadjuddin overruled the dean and limited the suspension to three months. But Rifardi is still not allowed to attend lectures on the grounds that he has not started a behavior improvement program imposed by the university rector later in December.

The program included regular one-to-one conferences with faculty members, paper writing and Friday prayers.

"I'm only seeking justice," Rifardi said, referring to the prolonged legal process. (14)