Criticizing UKT via Social Media, University of Riau Students Reported to Police

Riau University students were reported to the police after creating content containing criticism about single tuition fees.

RIAU, KOMPAS — Khariq Anhar, a student at University of Riau, was reported to the police after creating content containing criticism about single tuition fees. Riau University Chancellor Sri Indarti filed a police report on suspicion of defamation. Currently the parties are trying to resolve the issue through peaceful mediation.

Khariq made a video criticizing the cost of education at the University of Riau (Unri) which was uploaded via the Instagram account @aliansimahasiswapengangkat, March 6 2024. In the 35 second video, Khariq criticized the entrance fee and money single tuition (UKT) in a number of study programs (prodi), including the Agribusiness and Mechanical Engineering Study Program for IDR 20 million and the Medical Education Study Program for IDR 115 million.

At the end of the video, a photo of the Unri Chancellor, Sri Indarti, is displayed in the content and referred to as an education broker. This video was later reported on charges of violating Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 11 of 2008 regarding Electronic Information and Transactions. Khariq is considered to have defamed the good name of Sri Indarti through the content.

HUMAS POLRI

Riau University Student Center

When contacted by Kompas, on Thursday (9/5/2024), Khariq said he had been summoned twice to the Riau Regional Police to ask for information and clarification regarding the video. He was also asked to come back to the Riau Regional Police on Monday (13/5/2024) for clarification and mediation. He said he would fulfill the call.

"If the Madam Rector wants to withdraw the report and conduct mediation, that is a very good thing. Because I only wanted to convey criticism through that video," said Khariq, over a phone call on Thursday afternoon.

According to him, the content was created after students held an open discussion about the high cost of education. Khariq stated that the use of the term "education brokers" was a satirical or sarcastic figure of speech.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Hundreds of students from Jenderal Soedirman University in Purwokerto held a demonstration to reject the increase in the single tuition fee at the Rectorate Building in Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java, on Friday (April 26, 2024).

Khariq stated that he was invited by the Executive Board of the University of Riau's Student Council to meet with Sri on Thursday morning. However, he suddenly could not attend the meeting due to shortness of breath.

"If I had been present earlier, I would have talked to the Rector about freedom of expression. And if the video offended the Rector in any way, I personally apologize. However, regarding the criticism of the UKT cost, I feel that there needs to be a more in-depth discussion," said Khariq.

Criticism about the cost of tuition conveyed through the video is actually a complaint shared by many students. Last year, he accompanied three students who had difficulty paying tuition fees due to various reasons, such as the death of a parent or job loss. There were also students whose economic conditions were difficult, so they requested relief in tuition fees.

The criticism about tuition fees conveyed via the video is actually a complaint of many students.

According to him, the Student Lawsuit Alliance is a group of students from various universities in Riau who were formed to criticize various government policies. Not only about education costs, students also expressed criticisms about various issues, including human rights, environmental damage, and employment.

Also read: Students Protest UKT Increase at University of North Sumatra

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Hundreds of Jenderal Soedirman University students demonstrated at the Unsoed Rectorate Building, Purwokerto, Banyumas, Central Java, Monday (29/4/2024).

Mediation

The issue of air pollution is not new. The condition of the community being threatened by air pollution has been present for a long time. There are numerous research findings that indicate the threats posed by the impact of air pollution. However, these findings have not been able to encourage significant efforts to control air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering amidst air pollution. The President of the Student Executive Body (BEM) of the University of Riau, Muhammad Ravi stated that they would still hold a meeting with the university's Rector, despite Khariq's absence. The meeting was intended to provide support to Khariq. "During the meeting, it was discussed that the ongoing legal process aims to mediate. The mediation is planned to take place on Monday (13/5/2024)," said Ravi.

The Rector did not intend to criminalize and still provides space for criticism, suggestions, and input regarding institutional development fees and single tuition fees.

The Vice Rector of Student Affairs and Alumni of the University of Riau, Hermandra, stated that the report made by the Rector of Unri is directed towards the Instagram account @aliansimahasiswamenggugat. The report was made so that the Riau Regional Police can investigate who the owner of the account is.

"The rector did not intend to criminalize and still provides space for criticism, suggestions, and input regarding the institutional development fee and the single tuition fee. As the investigation results in Polda Riau have revealed that the owner of the account is a student named Khariq Anhar, this matter will not be pursued. We have coordinated with Polda Riau," he said.

Regarding criticism of UKT at Unri, Hermandra said that students can apply for a reduction in UKT fees to the rectorate. The campus will review and recheck the economic conditions of students' families. If deemed eligible, the application can be granted. However, the application can also be rejected if it does not meet the requirements.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Dozens of students who are part of the IAIN Cirebon Student Alliance staged a protest at the Syekh Nurjati IAIN Rectorate Office in Cirebon City, West Java on Tuesday (30/6/2020).

Hermandra admits that there are indeed a number of students who have applied for a reduction in tuition fees. However, he states that he does not know the exact data on how many students have ever applied for a reduction in tuition fees.

Also read: UKT is in conflict over higher education funding

Meanwhile, in her official statement, Rector of the University of Riau, Sri Indarti, also conveyed that there were no reports made to the students from the beginning. She mentioned that the report was addressed to the account @aliansimahasiswapenggugat.

"As the Rector of Unri, I have no intention of criminalizing my own students, silencing freedom of speech, and will continue to provide space for criticism, suggestions, and input on policies, including institutional development fees and single tuition fees," said Sri.

He added that the results of the investigation by the Riau Regional Police showed that the owner of the account was a student at the University of Riau, so the matter was not continued. This information was also conveyed to the concerned student. "We have coordinated with the Riau Regional Police," he continued.

Meanwhile, regarding education financing, the campus prioritizes the principle of justice and guarantees the community's right to obtain opportunities for decent education.

Andri Alatas from the Pekanbaru Legal Aid Institute believes that the report submitted by the rector of Unri is an attempt to silence the critical voices of students from within the campus. However, upon review, the content was created within the campus premises, precisely in front of the Universitas Riau sign and using Universitas Riau's attributes. The content also criticized the policies of the campus.

"Criticism is part of freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution, so the complaint made is a danger to freedom of speech. Therefore, criminalization of student activists must be stopped and the Rector of UNRI must withdraw the report," said Andri.