UMY Vice-Rector Speaks Out After Police Intelligence Enters Campus
The Rectorate of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) has addressed the incident involving a police intelligence officer who entered their campus after students concluded a demonstration on Wednesday (17/6).
Wakil Rektor Bidang Pendidikan dan Kemahasiswaan UMY, Zuly Qodir, did not deny the event. According to him, a member of the DIY Regional Police (Polda DIY) intelligence unit entered the campus area after a group of students returned from a protest at Titik Nol Kilometer, Yogyakarta City, on Wednesday. Zuly said the presence of the intelligence officer drew the attention of students at the location.
“I emphasised to the students that dialogue is far more important than using physical force. Using common sense and clarity of thought is the best way to resolve issues,” Zuly said in a statement received on Thursday (18/6).
Zuly detailed the chronology of the incident. He said the student protest at Titik Nol Km began around 1.30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time. The university had granted permission for the action with several conditions, including the wearing of university jackets and the orderly and peaceful expression of aspirations. A thorough registration of participants was also required to ensure safety during the activity. The protest proceeded in an orderly manner and served as a platform for students to voice their concerns on various social and national issues. The group then returned to campus around 5.30 p.m.
Zuly continued that the situation developed when a man in civilian clothing was spotted on campus grounds. Students at the scene questioned his identity and the purpose of his presence. The man was subsequently identified as a member of the Polda DIY intelligence unit. He was then taken to the Rectorate Building for clarification.
Upon learning of the situation, university leaders immediately conducted mediation to ensure the resolution process took place peacefully and to avoid potential friction. “We reminded the students that any form of violent action cannot be justified. The campus must be a space that upholds dialogue, ethics, and peaceful problem-solving,” Zuly stated.
Through an open communication process between students, campus leaders, and the police, the intelligence officer explained his identity and the purpose of his presence. Polda DIY also provided an official clarification regarding the incident and picked up their officer from the campus. The situation was declared conducive around 8.00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time. All parties agreed to resolve the matter peacefully, without any violent actions.
Zuly conveyed that UMY and the police have long maintained a good partnership in safeguarding public security and order. Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of always establishing proper coordination and communication in every activity related to the campus environment. He viewed the incident as a collective lesson on the importance of dialogue, mutual respect for each party’s authority, and maintaining the campus as a safe and conducive academic space.
“We appreciate the maturity of the students in handling this situation. All parties ultimately chose the path of dialogue so that the issue could be resolved properly without causing a larger conflict,” he concluded.
Polda DIY Head of Public Relations, Kombes Pol Ihsan, had previously explained that the intelligence officer was involved in a service order for the expression of public opinion on Wednesday. He said the officer’s presence at the location was part of a monitoring assignment to ensure the protesters returned to campus safely and securely. “The officers at the location, both in uniform and plainclothes, were part of the service implementation to escort and ensure the protesters returned to campus in a safe and secure condition,” Ihsan clarified in his statement on Wednesday (17/6) evening. Ihsan noted there was a moment of misunderstanding which has now been resolved humanely through good communication and coordination with the rectorate and students. “The current situation is conducive. We express our gratitude to the rectorate and students for the excellent communication and coordination established, so this misunderstanding could be resolved properly, and our officer has returned to Polda,” Ihsan said.