Telkom University Sanctions Four Students over Bullying, Expels One

Telkom University has imposed sanctions on four students in connection with a bullying case in a men’s student dormitory. One of the students has received the most severe penalty: permanent dismissal (expulsion) from the university.

In an official statement posted on its Instagram account, the university said the sanctions followed an investigation and an assessment of each student’s responsibility. The decision was based on Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Regulation No. 55 of 2024 on the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education (PPKTP), Telkom University Regulation No. PU.009/KMH-BKM/2026 on Student Codes of Conduct, and the university’s internal PPKPT Regulation No. KWR3.004/KMH01/KKA/2026.

“The sanctions imposed on the four students were determined according to each person’s role, level of involvement and the nature of the violation. One student has received the severe sanction of permanent dismissal (expulsion) from Telkom University, based on findings of repeated bullying and conduct that could endanger the victim’s physical and psychological safety, as well as that of people nearby,” Telkom University Rector Prof. Dr Suyanto said in a statement quoted on Tuesday (13 October 2026).

One student received a medium-level sanction of suspension for two semesters, along with character development measures. The university cited the student’s involvement in recording the bullying, failure to try to stop it and uploading the video to social media.

Two other students were given ethics-related sanctions, including character development activities and community service for one semester, as well as additional student activity requirements. The penalties followed findings of ethical violations.

“All the students involved in this incident are members of the 2026 intake. Telkom University does not tolerate bullying in any form. We have sanctioned those responsible in accordance with their respective levels of involvement. This decision reflects our responsibility to keep working to make the campus a safe home for our academic community,” the rector said.

The case came under scrutiny after a video went viral on social media showing a suspected perpetrator, also a Telkom University student, spraying gas while lighting a match, frightening the victim.