G

adjah Mada University (UGM)'€™s Ethics Committee has concluded that graduate law student Florence Sihombing committed a '€œmoderate violation'€ when she posted comments online that sparked anger among Yogyakarta residents.

The ethics committee will give a recommendation to the dean of the university, who will then make a decision in line with rector Regulation No. 711 on UGM students'€™ behavior.

'€œThe dean must consider the recommendation from the team before issuing the decision tomorrow [Wednesday],'€ UGM Law School dean Paripurna Sugarda told journalists at the UGM campus. On Tuesday, the UGM Law School Ethics Committee held a three-hour closed-door session. The meeting'€™s atmosphere was reportedly tense, with each of the eight members of the committee putting forward strong views on the case.

Paripurna apologized for Florence'€™s comments on behalf of the university.

'€œWe will evaluate the education system, which should not only provide education and skills but also cultural values. We will evaluate whether we'€™ve taught the right values or if we'€™ve made mistakes,'€ said Paripurna.

He expressed hope that the community in Yogyakarta would be willing to accept the apology for Florence'€™s misconduct, as she had admitted her mistake and promised to never repeat it.

Paripurna added that he had met with several members of the local community who had filed a lawsuit over Florence'€™s comments. The meeting, held at the UGM University Center, was also attended by citizen journalism activist Narliswandi Piliang, who also once fell foul of the ITE Law.

'€œDespite the absence of a decision, I have a feeling the complaint will be withdrawn from the police,'€ said Narliswandi.

Local community groups, including an NGO called Jatisura (Do Not Betray the People'€™s Voice) and bike club Onthel, deemed Florence'€™s comments offensive and accused her of violating the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.

Paripurna said that if the groups refused to retract the lawsuit, UGM would continue to provide advocacy and legal assistance to Florence.

However, he expected the case to be settled out of court. He said that Yogyakarta Palace, represented by Hamengkubuwono X'€™s wife GKR Hemas, would also meet with the local groups.

'€œThe meeting will be held at the Yogyakarta Palace on Thursday,'€ he added.

After attending the Ethics Committee meeting, Florence, again in tears, apologized to the community of Yogyakarta, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Yogyakarta Police and UGM over the comments.

'€œI'€™ve learned my lesson and promise not to repeat it. This is a precious lesson and it will be very influential for my future,'€ said Florence.

Florence also reiterated that she would accept the consequences imposed by the UGM Law School.

Florence was temporarily held in custody by the Yogyakarta Police for three days from Aug. 30 until Sept. 1 for being uncooperative in the questioning session. Her detention sparked protests from many civil liberty activists, who insisted that the Yogyakarta Police overreacted in handling the trivial incident.

The Yogyakarta Police then suspended Florence'€™s detention after UGM and her family gave the guarantees for her release. UGM and the Yogyakarta Police agreed not to implement criminal procedures.

Yogyakarta Police Special Crimes and Intelligence director Sr. Comr. Kokot Indarto said to date, none of the parties who took umbrage at Florence'€™s remarks had withdrawn their complaint.

'€œThey filed six legal subjects, but only two were formal. None of them have withdrawn their complaint as of today,'€ Kokot said.