UI clarifies individual in 27 February protest video is not its student

Depok — The University of Indonesia (UI) has issued a clarification asserting that a video circulating on social media depicting an individual wearing a UI jacket and allegedly engaged in provocative conduct towards law enforcement during a student demonstration on 27 February 2026 outside the Police Headquarters building in Jakarta does not represent a UI student.

UI, through its Student Organisation Office working in coordination with the Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government and International Affairs, has immediately conducted thorough internal investigation and verification. This process included cross-departmental coordination and confirmation with student representative bodies at faculty and university levels to ensure the accuracy of information circulating in the public sphere.

Erwin Agustian Panigoro, the University’s Director of Public Relations, Media, Government and International Affairs, stated on Sunday that based on communications and verification conducted jointly with the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Administrative Science, as well as cross-referencing against the official Higher Education Data Base (PDDIKTI), the individual featured in the video is definitively not a UI student.

“Following further investigation of the official data system, it has been established that the individual in question holds active student status at another higher education institution and has absolutely no academic affiliation with the University of Indonesia,” he said.

Panigoro noted that as an institution of higher learning, UI respects freedom of expression and the democratic rights of all citizens, including students, to voice their aspirations in a peaceful and responsible manner.

However, UI firmly rejects all forms of provocative conduct and unlawful actions, as these do not reflect the values, ethics, and character of UI’s academic community, which upholds integrity, responsible critical thinking, and respect for law and public order.

UI also objected to the unauthorised use of institutional symbols or attributes without authorisation or confirmation. Such actions risk creating public misunderstanding and damaging the reputation of the institution and unrelated parties.

In this connection, UI urged the public to exercise caution when receiving and sharing information that has not been verified for accuracy. In the digital age, careful assessment and sharing of information represents a collective responsibility to prevent misinformation and maintain a healthy and trustworthy public sphere.

“We issue this clarification to prevent confusion and misinformation that could damage the reputation of the University of Indonesia. UI remains committed to upholding the dignity of the institution whilst supporting the expression of aspirations that is constructive, orderly, and consistent with democratic principles,” Panigoro concluded.