Ten UGM Engineering Students Suspended Following Lewd WhatsApp Group Chats
The Faculty of Engineering (FT) at Gadjability Mada University (UGM) has suspended ten students suspected of engaging in lewd chats that harassed a female student in a WhatsApp Group (WAG). The students have been suspended for 1.5 months, a period that may be extended if the investigation remains ongoing.
“Before the final sanction is decided by the UGM PPKS Task Force within the next 1.5 months, this suspension could be extended if necessary, for instance, if the PPKS has not completed its examination,” said the Dean of FT UGM, Prof Ir Selo, via a short message on Tuesday (29/9/2026).
These students, all from the 2024 cohort, have been suspended from all academic activities effective Tuesday (29/9). The Dean confirmed that he met with the ten suspected individuals on Monday (28/9) and that further examinations are being conducted on other students who may be involved.
The Dean revealed that the WhatsApp group, which consists of approximately 40 members, was originally formed for academic discussion purposes. However, the nature of the conversations has come under scrutiny.
According to the Dean, the lewd chats occurred prior to April 2026. He noted that the inappropriate conversations in the group reportedly ceased following the viral news of a similar sexual harassment case involving students from the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia. He added that the screenshots currently circulating on social media date back to before April 2026.
The case gained public attention after screenshots of the chat from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DTETI) surfaced on social media, showing members objectifying a female student’s body parts. The posts on the platform Threads sparked widespread outrage among netizens.
In response, UGM spokesperson Dr I Made Andi Arsana stated that the university is taking careful and cautious steps to investigate this case of Online Gender-Based Violence (KBGO). He emphasised that coordination with relevant parties is ongoing to ensure appropriate action is taken.
The Chair of the UGM Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (PPKS), Prof Dra Raden Ajeng Yayi Suryo Prabandari, confirmed that the investigation is currently being processed by the task force in conjunction with the university.
The Faculty of Engineering (FT) UGM has issued an official statement via Instagram, expressing strong condemnation of the online gender-based violence. The faculty stated that such actions contradict the moral, ethical, and integrity values held by the academic community. Furthermore, FT UGM committed to supporting the victim, ensuring protection and safety, and pushing for a fair, objective, transparent, and accountable resolution in accordance with university regulations.