UI Clarifies Man in Yellow Jacket at Police Headquarters Protest Is Not a Student
Universitas Indonesia (UI) has stated that the man wearing a yellow alma mater jacket involved in a confrontation with law enforcement during a demonstration at National Police Headquarters on Friday 27 February is not a UI student.
The tension between the man in the distinctive yellow UI jacket and a law enforcement officer during the protest at Police Headquarters was captured in video that went viral on social media. In the recording, the man in the yellow jacket is seen confronting a police officer escorting the demonstration, accusing the officer of being someone who previously assaulted him.
UI, through its Student Organisation Office and Directorate of Public Relations, Media, Government and International Affairs, immediately conducted thorough internal tracing and verification of the man in the yellow jacket. The process included cross-unit coordination and confirmation with student representatives at faculty and university levels to ensure accuracy of information circulating in the public sphere.
Erwin Agustian Panigoro, Director of Public Relations, Media, Government and International Affairs, stated that based on communication and verification with the Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Administrative Science at UI, along with searches in the official Higher Education Database (PDDIKTI), it was confirmed that the individual in the video is not a UI student.
“From further investigation of the official data system, it was found that the individual is an active student at another higher education institution and has absolutely no academic affiliation with Universitas Indonesia,” he said.
Panigoro stated that as a higher education institution, UI respects freedom of expression and democratic rights of every citizen, including students, in conveying aspirations peacefully and responsibly. However, UI rejects all forms of provocative action or unlawful conduct, as such actions do not reflect the values, ethics and character of the UI academic community, which upholds integrity, responsible critical thinking, and respect for law and public order.
UI also expressed objection to the use of institutional attributes or symbols without authorisation and without confirmation. Such actions have the potential to cause public misunderstanding and damage the reputation of the institution and unrelated parties.
In this connection, UI urged the public to be cautious when receiving and spreading information that has not been verified for accuracy. “We issue this clarification to prevent information confusion that could harm the reputation of Universitas Indonesia. UI is committed to continuing to uphold institutional integrity and support the expression of aspirations that are constructive, orderly and consistent with the principles of democracy,” said Erwin.