Melki Sedek Huang: There Is An Allegation Of 'Operation' Behind My Case

Melki Sedek Huang and Eddy Wijaya. (IST)

JAKARTA - The head of the University of Indonesia's inactive Student Executive Board (BEM) Melki Sedek Huang admitted that he received a lot of information regarding reports of alleged sexual violence against him. When there are allegations against me, hundreds of people contact me. They suspect this is an operation, setting, there are even seniors calling this (involved) state institution," said Melki Sedek Huang in chatting with Eddy Wijaya on the EdshareOn podcast.

Melki said the allegation was reasonable because it appeared after he was passionate about criticizing the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) which granted the request for the age limit for presidential and vice presidential candidates. This decision is the basis for Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko Widodo, to smoothly become a vice presidential candidate accompanying Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 presidential election.

The allegation of sexual violence made Melki disabled as Chair of BEM UI dated December 18, 2023. In fact, on January 31, 2024, the UI Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS) stated that Melki Sedek Huang was proven to have committed sexual violence. For this decision, Melki was sentenced to an academic suspension for 1 (one) semester at the UI Faculty of Law.

Eddy Wijaya interviewed Melki before the decision was issued by the UI PPKS Task Force. In the interview, Melki emphasized that his rebuttal had committed sexual violence against UI students. I'm sure 100 percent didn't do it,' said Melki.

Melki also entrusted the case to the PPKS Task Force. He admitted that he would present evidence that strengthens his rebuttal. But if it turns out that the results are beyond expectations, aka proven guilty of sexual violence, Melki will not remain silent. I will negotiate it with the team," he said.

Melki Sedek Huang admitted that he had experienced various threats since serving as Chair of BEM UI, especially when holding demonstrations or criticizing government policies in the media. "I have been offered a certain amount of money and even threatened if I go down (demonstratives) again, I can't go home," said Melki.

The peak threat felt by Melki Sedek Huang when his house and school were visited by a number of people who claimed to be officers in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. Melki said they met his mother and teacher at school to ask about Melki's activities while in Pontianak. "What I am grateful for is that my mother is a brave person. She said 'Gas, son'," said Melki. Don't try to bring fear in ways that violate the rules," he added.

Melki emphasized that he would not be afraid of the pressure he was facing. For Melki, demonstrating and criticizing government policies is an obligation for students who study on campus. I am a law student, and the legal goal is to bring certainty," he said. (ADV)