UBK Confirms Student Who Met Vice President Received Rp20 Million from Senior
Universitas Bung Karno (UBK) Jakarta has acknowledged that Muhammad Abdi Maludin, chairman of the Faculty of Law’s Student Executive Board (BEM), received Rp20 million from a senior alumnus prior to meeting Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during a demonstration at the Patung Kuda area in Central Jakarta on 15 June.
UBK Vice Rector III Daniel Panda stated that the receipt of the money was confirmed after the university summoned Abdi. “He has made an official admission to the university that he received Rp20 million through an individual senior alumnus of the UBK Faculty of Law, handed over by a police officer,” Daniel said during a press conference at the UBK campus on Tuesday (17/6).
According to Daniel, the money was given to Abdi by a senior alumnus, with the funds originating from a police officer. UBK has formed an investigative team to fully understand the matter before imposing sanctions on those involved. “Sanctions will be determined based on the level of wrongdoing by the student concerned. We will impose sanctions in accordance with the regulations in force at Universitas Bung Karno,” he added.
Daniel further explained that, based on Abdi’s account, the Rp20 million was distributed among several students or members of the BEM from the faculties of law and economics. However, he stressed that the university would conduct cross-checks and summon witnesses and other individuals implicated in the process.
Regarding the motive, Daniel revealed that the money was handed over early Monday morning, ahead of the demonstration by several UBK BEM groups. The intention was to persuade the students not to protest at the Presidential Palace. “They were advised by the senior alumnus to demonstrate at the House of Representatives (DPR RI) instead,” he said. However, according to Abdi’s admission, the students rejected the suggestion. “So the students still went to the Palace, even though they had received the money. That is the direct admission from the BEM chairman,” Daniel stated.
The issue of money being given to students who met Vice President Gibran during the 15 June protest has drawn widespread attention on social media. A video of BEM Faculty of Law chairman Muhammad Abdi being questioned by fellow students about the payment recently went viral.
The Palace has responded cautiously to the issue. Deputy Minister of State Secretary Bambang Eko Suhariyanto said he would look into the matter first. “Let me monitor it later. I haven’t followed the latest news on that. I will check it again,” Bambang said in Jakarta.
CNNIndonesia.com contacted the Head of Professional and Internal Affairs (Propam) of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Radjo Alriadi Harahap, to clarify the alleged police involvement in the case, but he has not yet responded.