Bahlil's Explanation Of UI's Suspended Doctoral Degree

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia opened his voice regarding the decision of the University of Indonesia (UI) to suspend his graduation as a Doctor from the UI Stratejik and Global Study School (SKSG).

Met in the Parliament area, Bahlil admitted that he did not clearly know the UI decision to present his graduation.

However, he admitted that he had obtained a letter of recommendation for the suspension of his title.

"I don't know the contents yet. But what is clear is that the recommendation may have been obtained, I have received it," said Bahlil, Wednesday, November 13.

Bahlil also said that based on his understanding, the suspension carried out by UI was not related to his doctorate.

"There what I understand is that it is not suspended, but indeed my graduation should be held in December. I said that graduating was after the judiciary, and my judiciary was December," he explained.

He also said that the dissertation still had to be repaired. When the repairs have been completed, he has just been declared complete.

"Yesterday my dissertation, after the dissertation there was an improvement in the dissertation. So after the dissertation repair, it was declared complete," Bahlil added.

He also emphasized that the follow-up to the suspension was entirely the authority of UI as the title giver.

"In more detail, I'll just ask UI," said Bahlil.

Previously, Bahlil underwent an Open Session of the Promotion of Doctors of the Stratejik and Global Studies Schools of the University of Indonesia (SKSG UI) with a dissertation entitled Policy, Institution, and Governance of Fair and Sustainable Nickel Downstreaming in Indonesia on October 16.

Regarding Bahlil's doctorate, UI then put forward to suspending Bahlil's graduation as a doctor.

Chairman of the UI Board of Trustees (MWA) Yahya Cholil Staquf in his statement said the suspension decision was taken based on a coordination meeting of the four UI organs which was held on Tuesday, October 11.

"The graduates of BL, students of the Doctoral Program (S3) SKSG are suspended, follow the Chancellor's Regulation Number 26 of 2022, will then follow the ethics trial decision," Yahya wrote in a written statement, Wednesday. November 13.

On the same occasion, UI also apologized to the Indonesian people for the problems related to Bahlil who became a Doctoral Program (S3) student at the Stratejik and Global Studies School (SKSG).

He also admitted that other problems stemmed from UI's own shortcomings, and were taking steps to overcome them both academically and ethically.

UI has also conducted an in-depth evaluation of the governance of the Doctoral Program (S3) in SKSG as a commitment to maintaining academic quality and integrity.

"The Higher Education Tri Dharma Supervision Investigation Team consisting of elements of the Academic Senate and the Professors' Board has conducted an investigative audit of the implementation of the Doctoral Program (S3) in SKSG which includes fulfilling student admission requirements, guidance process, publication, graduation requirements, and examination," said Yahya.