To VOI MS Tells About What Harassment He Really Experienced At KPI

JAKARTA - While demonstrating the prayer movement, MS, an alleged victim of bullying and sexual harassment at the Central Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) called his wife's name three times. His body shook. He could not recite the holy verse. His subconscious is like asking for help. The scene repeated itself while he was taking a shower.

"Dini, Dini, Dini [pseudonym]," said MS, referring to his wife's pseudonym. "My reflex is always asking him for help. Ask for help."

The traumatic effect is thought to be the cumulative impact of bullying and sexual harassment that he has experienced for almost a decade. The seniors at his workplace beat, stripped naked, sexually assaulted, berated, slandered parents. All these upsetting incidents happened at the Central KPI office.

MS is still struggling to find justice. Most recently, the National Human Rights Commission issued nine recommendations related to the settlement of cases that befell MS. The recommendation came out after Komnas HAM conducted an investigation.

The Komnas HAM recommendation points include the KPI must protect victims morally and policy. Then, KPI must also cooperate with the Police in an effort to speed up the law enforcement process. In addition, KPI must impose sanctions on perpetrators and issue a policy statement that prohibits bullying, harassment, and violence within the Central KPI.

To find out the full story of MS's struggle for justice, VOI interviewed MS in a place in South Jakarta. He was also accompanied by his attorney, Muhammad Mualimin.

Suspected victim of sexual harassment at KPI, MS (VOI Documentation)

How are you now?

Sometimes, normal people are usually emotionally stable. But if me, I'm sometimes excited, sometimes down. I was depressed for two days and locked myself in my room, I couldn't do anything because I felt sad. I'm gloomy. The anxiety was felt.

I used to go to the Police psychiatrist, then I didn't feel comfortable. Finally, now I moved to a psychiatrist Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM). In addition, I was also handled by a psychologist in Cikini who was funded by LBH APIK. Even before it went viral, I went to a psychologist, bullied for almost ten years made me once thought about committing suicide.

What health problems do you experience?

Bullying in 2012. In 2013 I felt nauseous almost every morning. Then 2016 I got married, it still is. Then my wife suggested treatment to a specialist in internal medicine. The doctor advised me to have an endoscopy. And the result I have gastritis. Psychologist Zoya Amirin said that I also experienced psychosomatic stress due to the stress I was experiencing.

Still in 2016 after I got married, I had a sexual breakdown. Because of the stress, married relationship is somewhat disturbed. So my libido doesn't go up. I also went to Harapan Kita Hospital for treatment, until the doctor was confused that the newlyweds had never had sex. In short, two years of marriage and new children.

During those two years, I went here and there for treatment. From medical treatment to traditional medicine. I've even been doing ruqyah. Only then did it start to get better.

Previously there were irregularities when experiencing sexual disorders. I often have nightmares. My dream was about bullying, harassment. I was so anxious, I even hit the bed when I had a bad dream. My wife was shocked. At that time my wife did not know my situation.

The symptoms of anxiety were so severe that once when I was praying I couldn't read the scriptures, but instead said my wife's name. A similar incident happened when I took a shower. My subconscious is always asking for help. It made me reflexive to call the person closest to me, namely my wife. Seeing this, my wife cried.

Lasted almost a decade, how exactly is the working environment at KPI?

When I first entered the Broadcast Content Monitoring Analyst Division, there were male and female employees. There's no problem, there's no joking around or talk rudely. It's safe.

Then in 2012, when I moved to the Visual Data Division, there were 16 of these people, all men. It's like stepping into an "STM gang" environment. Talking dirty and all kinds of sex and animal cursing came out like a normal thing. Not only verbal jokes, but I was also suddenly caught up at work at that time.

What is the trigger for the excessive 'joking'?

The first trigger is a contract difference. In 2012, when I entered, there were people who didn't welcome me. In the visual data, there are two shifts, morning and night, until 2014. When I was on the night shift, there were five people including me. These four people were actually six months older than me.

In the visual data, there used to be a salary cut of a percentage of the beginning. After six months, it was equalized. But when I was only three months in, there was a new policy, so my salary was the same as the others. That's where social jealousy may arise.

Seen after that I was shunned, continued to be intimidated, asked to buy food. This is the difference between the order or the one that is intimidated. If you take it, for example, there is a greeting asking for help, there is permission first. But immediately 'Bro, buy me some food.'

According to the reported statement, you often order to buy food, right?

Never (to order). I just buy them food. So, they are superior, there's no such thing as shifting to buying food. I think that's a denial from the reported party.

Any other victims of bullying?

Another victim HS. In the visual data that became monthly, I was with HS. He was a quiet person, did not want to say anything.

The reported sexual harassment had once undressed HS and played around with it. He didn't dare to fight back, saying, 'Just let it be, let God take revenge.' Then I said 'this is in the world bro, not in the hereafter.' He chooses to be safe.

Then there is more about AC. He's in the monitoring analyst division. So the story is, he just came in and there were no chairs in his room. He then took a new seat in the visual data division room. He was also intimidated, ordered to make coffee, make tea. There's actually an office boy though. Even though their work positions are equal in level.

Indeed, since the beginning, I have also been greeted by the senior 'welcome to the jungle'. I'm confused about what that means. It turns out that I just realized that there is the law of the jungle. Especially in the visual data division.

There, there was once a new employee. She is a girl. She only worked one month. After that, she resigned because she was not strong. Regarding other victims, even Komnas HAM has agreed. There are other victims, he said.

Who is the bully at the KPI?

In total there were ten people who bullied me. First, I haven't entered IP in the release yet. Then AR, he was the one who ordered the AC victim to make coffee. There are SG, TS, another one has resigned. They are outside of the five people who were reported, okay.

Actually, the position is the same. It's just some people work longer there. More seniors. For example, SG is one year different from my tenure. And again the room according to them is like their own and as an allergy to see new people.

The Reported Party said this was a hoax, what is your opinion?

How can it be a hoax, people already have a letter of recommendation from Komnas HAM, I have also been to a psychiatrist, to a psychologist at Taman Sari, all of which have scientific evidence. How to be called a hoax?

I went to a psychiatrist, forensics, it was stated that I had an anxiety disorder. I have an anxiety disorder. Second, I was diagnosed with depression. The psychologist from LPSK said I had PTSD.

KPI formed an investigation team, is there any progress that is felt?

On November 16 the team was formed. About a week later there was an interview from Konde's NGO. Then on Saturday, Mrs. Dian, the Head of the Investigation Team, came to the house and interviewed my mother and me.

Is it true that there was peaceful persuasion from the reported party and the KPI?

On September 8 there was an idea from KPI for a peace agreement. I was contacted by a KPI legal staff named Mico, who asked me to come at 10:00, but that day I went to Komnas HAM and LPSK, I was only able to come in the afternoon. When I arrived, I was taken by a KPI staff named Mico to the broadcasting complaint room on the first floor.

At that time (in the room) there were already the reported parties, then one of the reported representatives with the initials RM came to me, without greeting or asking how I was doing, he immediately spoke in a frightening tone to me that another reported party with the initials SG was depressed because I made this case viral due to being criticized and being bullied by netizens.

Then he (RM) complained that his wife's online shop was destroyed because of being bullied by netizens. He wanted to put me in the position of a guilty person. Finally, I cried in front of him, I said to him "Don't you feel sorry for me, I've been bullied for years?"

Then one of the reported parties with the initials EO threatened to report back. Then RM also scared me that he had backing from the KSP (Presidential Staff Office) even though I didn't know who he had backed in the KSP, so I was urged whether or not I wanted to make peace with them and there were conditions.

alleged victim of sexual harassment at KPI, MS (VOI Documentation)

So at that time, I was brought back to the KPI Public Relations room by the alleged perpetrators without KPI staff for a peace agreement and this agreement was presented by the alleged perpetrators of RM and TK while the other four suspected perpetrators waited outside the room guarding the door. I was treated first by the alleged perpetrator before the peace agreement, I was given instant noodles and sweet tea.

After that (after eating and drinking) I was asked to sign a peace agreement which contained: First I had to withdraw the report to the police, Komnas HAM and LPSK. The second point is that the reported parties will not report back to me. The third is that I have to re-release again and restore their good name and I must state that the incident of sexual harassment and bullying against me never really happened.

I was asked to hold a press conference to explain that the viral release and my admission of PTSD reoccurred so that I was hallucinating and writing nonsense. Then I was left in the room by RM and TK to think about signing autographs. At that time I thought why did it turn out like this, even though this is a fact. In the end, I decided to refuse to sign the letter.

You are also active as a lecturer. Is it true that the reported intervention was involved in your process of becoming a lecturer?

I do teach, so after working at KPI, in the evening I just taught at a private university in Jakarta. In fact, the person who gave my recommendation to teach was not the reported person, but outside the current KPI person. The person who recommended me used to work in the visual data section of KPI, my senior was but no longer in KPI, he resigned and became a lecturer.

He was the one who was contributing to inviting me to take part in teaching, not one of the reported parties. One of those reported was a graduate of the university, but it's not him that invite me or on his recommendation.

What's the real problem with the case of throwing the bag?

Context Bully of throwing bag is because he collects debt. So it was TK who threw my bag. Because at first, he was mocking, then I continued to collect the debt from him because he happened to have a debt to me. So I replied to his ridicule "Where did you say you promised to pay me the debt?".

Well, when I billed him in the workroom, I heard the other friends and TK was finally embarrassed, yes, then my bag was tossed. Finally, he paid the debt, but since then he still bullied me by throwing my bag in the next day.

Sexual harassment and bullying can happen to anyone regardless of gender. What is your opinion?

MS's response is that victims of sexual harassment and bullying do not see gender and can happen to anyone. Many people have the wrong perception that a man must be strong, a man must be masculine, must be strong, but we do have a heart, an emotional side, and a mind that can also be disturbed. Both men and women can experience sexual harassment.

But indeed more of the victims are women and voices. Meanwhile, men who are victims of abuse rarely speak out of shame. Maybe many men have experienced the same thing as me, but because of the shame and stigma that men have to be strong, masculine, etc., they rarely express it.

Why stick with KPIs?

Many people ask why I have stayed at KPI for ten years, what else is being bullied and harassed, my reason is that apart from being at KPI I also teach, now I teach it is the same course as my job. So there is a linear link between my work in KPI and what I teach.

What are your hopes for the resolution of this case?

With regard to the police, I hope that the police will speed up the recommendation from Komnas HAM so that they can be investigated immediately, this is still an investigation process.

Lawyer's response

In addition, in terms of the legal process, VOI interviewed MS's attorney, Muhammad Mualimin. In general, Mualimin feels that the case has stalled because the results of the psychological tests at the Police Hospital are still, reportedly, not yet received by the police.

How is the performance of the KPI External Investigation Team?

Some time ago the former Komnas HAM who was a member of the team asked for my information. I explained all the beginnings and all MS conditions. Recently, several KPI leaders have complained about the bad name of their institution due to this case. Once again, we reiterate that we do not want to vilify the name of the institution.

But don't let our clients, who are KPI employees, make their case viral, seem to be blamed because KPI has gone bad. Then I promised the team, if the name of the institution for us is not too essential, if it is considered important, we are ready to restore the name of the institution with a record that the performance of this newly formed team is one hundred percent in favor of the victims. Including the needs and desires of victims are accommodated. For example, the victim wants the perpetrator to be fired. Then related to treatment and other KPIs, however, they must be responsible.

MS Lawyer Muhammad Mualimin (VOI Documentation)

Then, KPI also does not have a complaint mechanism related to harassment cases. They also seemed unconcerned from the start of the case. That's why the damage suffered by MS, KPI should be responsible. Lastly, the recommendations of Komnas HAM, and the victim's desire to change divisions, must also be accommodated.

What is the response to Komnas HAM which seems less encouraging to the police?

Komnas HAM at that time was more like the Metro Jaya Police at that time. The Chief of Police, Muhammad Fadil Imran, must pay attention and possibly order the Head of the Central Jakarta Police to proceed further, but if the reason is the Central Jakarta Police Hospital, the Police Hospital has not yet issued the results of the examination, so they cannot move. I think the Central Jakarta Police should ask the Police Hospital more often. Because the last time the doctor said it would take a few days to come to a final conclusion. But within a month it hasn't come out.

*Read other information about HARASSMENT or read another interesting article from Ramdan Febrian Arifin.