New Round Of Bahlil Lahadalia Case, UI Accepts Apology Of Dissertation Promoter

DEPOK - University of Indonesia (UI) received an apology statement from one of the commissioners of the Bahlil Lahadalia dissertation, Teguh Dartanto, addressed to the academic community and the community. The submission of this apology is part of the obligation in the coaching sanctions imposed on him in accordance with the Rectorial Decree of UI No. 474/SK/R/UI/2025, after the discovery of academic violations in the dissertation process.

The Chancellor of UI, Prof. Heri Hermansyah in his statement in Depok, Saturday, emphasized that the apology was an important part of the UI ethical mechanism.

"This apology statement shows the seriousness of the party concerned in carrying out coaching sanctions. UI will continue to maintain unconditional academic integrity and without selective slashing," said Prof. Heri as quoted by Antara on weekends.

The statement of apology from Teguh Dartanto was received by UI on November 29, 2025. UI considered this step as part of the academic climate recovery process and a commitment to strengthen the culture of integrity. He added that UI would coordinate with four main organs to follow up on the statement institutionally. As an educational institution, he said, UI places academic integrity as the main pillar. The sanctions imposed are not punishment, but are part of coaching in order to maintain UI's academic quality," concluded Prof. Heri.

UI's Director of Public Relations, Media, Government and International Affairs, Erwin Panigoro, emphasized that UI consistently implements the mechanism of ethics without exception. All parties involved, both promoters, co-promotors, school management, and students, have been subject to coaching sanctions according to their level of responsibility. UI is not selective in upholding academic standards," he said.

He added that enforcement of academic integrity is carried out not only through imposition of sanctions, but also through guidance to improve academic quality and behavior change. Students are required to make substantive revisions to their dissertation. Meanwhile, supervisors are subject to guidance through a ban on certain academic activities," said Erwin. In the dissertation preparation process, Bahlil Lahadalia, a doctoral student at the Strategic and Global Study School (SKSG) Program, there are several parties who serve as guides, namely Promotor Chandra Wijaya, as well as two Ko-promotors, namely Teguh Dartanto and Athor Subroto. A thorough evaluation conducted by UI found that there were academic and ethical violations of all supervisory elements, so that each of them was subject to coaching sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations.

Sanctions against Teguh Dartanto include a ban on teaching and guiding for one year, a postponement of promotion for two years, and the obligation to apologize to the academic community and society. The same sanctions at their level were imposed on Promoters and other Ko-promotors, namely the prohibition of teaching, the prohibition of accepting tutoring students, as well as restrictions on involvement in structural positions within a certain period. The University of Indonesia emphasized that the sanction decision was not taken unilaterally, but was a joint decision of the four main UI organs, namely the Chancellor, the Board of Trustees (MWA), the Academic Senate (SA), and the Board of Professors (DGB).

The four organs simultaneously state that students concerned are required to revise the dissertation and complete additional requirements in the form of scientific publications.