Highlighting Cases Of Sexual Violence In UGM, Puan: There Is No Tolerance Of Punishment For Perpetrators

Photo archive - Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani. BETWEEN/HO-DPR/aa.

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, is concerned about a case of sexual violence by Professor of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Gajah Mada University (UGM) against dozens of female students at her private residence. He stated that there was no tolerance for punishment for perpetrators of sexual violence.

According to Puan, this action not only tarnishes UGM but also damages public confidence in higher education institutions.

"I express my deep concern over the case of sexual violence committed by the Professor of the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM against dozens of students. This action not only tarnished the good name of higher education institutions, but also damaged public confidence in the integrity of the academic world," said Puan, Tuesday, April 8.

It is known that the Professor of the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy named Eddy Meiyanto committed acts of sexual violence against his student using thesis or thesis guidance outside the campus during the 2023-2024 period. In fact, UGM has regulated that lecture activities must be carried out in the campus environment.

Puan emphasized that educational institutions should be a safe space for students, not a place that threatens the future.

"The campus should be a safe and dignified space, not a place of repeated harassment," he said.

Therefore, Puan stated, law enforcement officers must handle this case fairly and the perpetrators must be severely punished without tolerance. As stipulated in Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS Law).

As for now, Eddy has been fired as a UGM lecturer. The sanction was imposed based on the findings and evidence in the examination process of the Examination Committee for the establishment of the UGM Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (PPKS).

"As Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, I emphasize that there should be no tolerance whatsoever for sexual violence, especially in institutions that should be at the forefront of building civilization, ethics, and security for the younger generation," he stressed.

Puan also asked that law enforcement be carried out indiscriminately. The government and law enforcement officials, said Puan, must ensure that the legal process runs in a transparent, fast, and fair manner.

"There is no immunity, even though the perpetrators are professors or prominent figures," he said.

On the other hand, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also encouraged the strengthening of the implementation of Permendikbudristek Number 30 of 2021. According to him, the Government through the Ministry of Education and Culture must closely monitor the implementation of regulations on the prevention and handling of sexual violence (PPKS) in every campus.

"The PPKS Task Force must be given stronger authority and supported by adequate budget," explained Puan.

Puan also asked for a total evaluation of the management of academic ethics. According to her, the mechanism for supervising lecturers and academic supervisors on campus needs to be thoroughly audited.

"Unbalanced power relations must be overcome with a concrete reporting system and witness protection," he said.

Puan also urged the establishment of a center for crisis and national assistance to victims of sexual harassment. He assessed that the Government must initiate a center for assisting victims of sexual violence in a national higher education environment, which is independent of campus and can be accessed 24 hours for 7 days.

In addition, Puan encourages a national campaign on the relationship between power and academic ethics. According to him, the public needs to be given continuous education about the dangers of power relations in the education system, so that students have the awareness and courage to report if they become victims.

"The environment of education should be a place where intellectuality and noble values develop, not a space where power is abused to oppress the weak," said Puan.