Melki Dismissed From The Head Of BEM UI After Allegations Of Viral Sexual Violence Cases

Former Head of BEM UI Melki Sedek Huang. (Instagram/@melkisedekuang)

JAKARTA - Melki Sedek Huang was temporarily dismissed from the Chairman of the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI). The deactivation letter signed by the Deputy Chairperson of BEM UI 2023 was received by Melki on Monday, December 18.

In the letter, it did not stated how long he was deactivating as Chair of BEM. Meanwhile, the position of BEM UI is currently held by the vice chairman.

"I received the deactivation letter from BEM UI today, signed by the Deputy Chair. But as of today I have not followed any process that applies, either in the Task Force or at BEM UI. There have been no summons yet," said Melki, Tuesday, December 19.

Melki also wondered why she was deactivated. He denied allegations of sexual violence offenses as circulated by one of X's social media accounts on Monday, December 18.

"I was curious. I didn't get a summons at all. To this day I don't really know what rule to break. I also feel that I have never violated any rules, let alone related to sexual violence," said Melki.

"So it went viral on Twitter without me knowing what I was doing. The letter cannot be shared, because it is internal. What is on Twitter violates the rules," he added.

Even so, Melki handed over everything to the University of Indonesia's Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (SATGAS PPKS UI) team. Melki explained that the deactivation effort was in accordance with the applicable BEM UI rules.

"If it is wrong or not, it is not my authority to say it is wrong or not, that is the authority of the PPKS Task Force team. Let the team judge because I am still following the process today, I am ready to follow the process. I am ready to prove anything, I am ready to be summoned at any time," said Melki.

"The deactivation letter is a procedure that applies to BEM UI in accordance with BEM UI Regulation Number 1 of 2023. When there are allegations or even just reporting, the suspect must be deactivated for the smooth running of the investigation process and so on," he continued.

Melki admitted that he was ready to follow any process and carry out any evidence in this case.

"So I ask my media friends to wait for what the process will be like. I am very ready to follow any process and are very ready to prove anything if necessary," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations and KIP UI, Amelita Lusia, said the report had been handled by the UI PPKS Task Force.

"If we report it to the PPKS Task Force, that's their domain, because they are investigating and processing," said Amelita, Tuesday, December 19.

So, he continued, the handling of the case is in the realm of the UI PPKS Task Force. "Reports that enter PPKS are those who know, unless there are recommendations to the leadership, what status is it like. So we respect the process," he said.