Pride Month post by UI student group not university's stance, says Humas
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Universitas Indonesia's Public Relations stated that a social media post about Pride Month by the student group Suma UI does not represent the university's official stance.
- The university respects freedom of expression but emphasizes that all opinions must be conveyed respectfully and responsibly.
- UI is reviewing the student group's post internally to ensure alignment with university ethics and responsible academic freedom.
Universitas Indonesia (UI) has clarified that a social media post by the student group Suara Mahasiswa (Suma UI) concerning Pride Month and issues of sexual orientation and gender identity does not reflect the university's official position. Erwin Agustian Panigoro, Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International at UI, stated that the content represents the editorial views of the student organization alone.
"The content does not reflect the official stance of Universitas Indonesia or the entire academic community of UI," Erwin said on Saturday, June 13, 2026. He affirmed that UI respects freedom of opinion as a component of democratic academic life, providing space for students to express critical and responsible ideas.
As an institution of higher learning, UI adheres to Pancasila values, laws, and prevailing norms in Indonesia. The university upholds integrity, respect for human dignity, and strives to maintain a safe, orderly, and conducive academic environment. These values are fundamental to UI's execution of its Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (three pillars of higher education).
Erwin further explained that UI views the campus as a space for dialogue and knowledge development, open to diverse perspectives. However, he stressed that all opinions must be communicated courteously, without provocation, and in accordance with academic ethics. "Freedom of expression must always be accompanied by social responsibility so that differences of opinion do not lead to polarization or division within society," he asserted.
The university leadership is addressing the public's concerns regarding the post and is conducting an internal review and evaluation. This process aims to ensure that all student activities align with UI's Code of Ethics and Student Regulations, operating within the framework of responsible academic freedom. UI encourages its community and the public to foster mutual respect and unity, believing that a healthy campus climate is built on constructive expression and respect for core values.
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.