Yogyakarta University Sexual Harassment Cases 'Damage Morals,' Says Muhammadiyah Chairman

Haedar Nashir, the Chairman of the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah, has expressed serious concern over the increasing number of alleged sexual harassment cases surfacing in Yogyakarta's universities. These incidents have affected both public and private institutions, including several Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah universities such as Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), and Universitas 'Aisyiyah (Unisa) Yogyakarta.

Nashir firmly stated that there should be no compromise with perpetrators of violence or sexual harassment within educational settings. "We all must not allow space for issues that demoralize, that weaken the nation's potential. This must be a commitment of all educational institutions in Indonesia," he declared. He urged for decisive actions against those involved, emphasizing that such cases damage the moral fabric of educational environments.

He expressed confidence that rectors within the Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Higher Education (PTMA) network are seriously addressing reports. However, Nashir stressed that the response must go beyond administrative processes. It needs to be transparent, adhere to legal frameworks, university regulations, and ethical standards. He reminded that educational institutions face numerous challenges, including violence and moral deviations, requiring a strong commitment to fostering safe learning environments.

"This is a matter of ethics, morals, and public trust," Nashir stated, adding that universities must have the courage to take firm action to protect their integrity and academic community. He believes existing mechanisms are in place to handle such cases and called for these recent incidents to serve as a catalyst for PTMA institutions to enhance their prevention and handling systems for sexual violence, ensuring campuses remain secure spaces for all students and staff.