ITB Apologizes After Students Sing Song Containing Harassment

Bandung –

Before the sexual harassment case involving over a dozen students from the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia has even concluded, a new video clip has emerged. The clip features a performance by the Semi-Dangdut Orchestra from the Mining Engineering Student Association at the Bandung Institute of Technology, which is now under suspicion of containing sexual harassment.

Here are the facts of the incident:

1. Sparking Public Outrage

The clip from the HMT-ITB orchestra performance contains song lyrics that are directed towards the harassment of women. This incident has sparked outrage among netizens, particularly because it was carried out by university students, who are considered part of the educated class.

In this case, netizens believe there is no excuse for perpetrators of sexual harassment, whether it is done through song or any other means.

2. HMT-ITB Issues Apology

In response to the incident, HMT-ITB has spoken out and issued a public apology.

“We extend our deepest apologies for the circulation of the song that has caused public unrest. We fully understand and recognize the sensitivity of this issue and express our concern and empathy to the public, especially to women,” stated an official release.

3. The Song is Titled “Erika”

The statement mentioned that the HMT-ITB Semi-Dangdut Orchestra is one of the activity units under HMT-ITB, established since the 1970s, and the song titled “Erika” was created in the 1980s. We acknowledge that it was a negligence to continue performing this song given the evolution of social norms and morality in today’s society.

“We firmly acknowledge that the content of that performance does not reflect the values that should be upheld in an academic environment and student organizations. HMT-ITB firmly states that we do not condone any actions that degrade the dignity of any individual or group,” the official statement continued.

4. Content to Be Taken Down

In response to this incident, ITB has coordinated with relevant parties to immediately take down the video and audio content from HMT-ITB’s official channels and to remove it from affiliated individual accounts, including a 2020 video circulating among the public.

“We are conducting a comprehensive internal evaluation of the content, execution, and oversight of activities related to this song and other songs containing similar elements. We are also reviewing the organization’s activity standards and guidelines to ensure they align with the evolving ethical values within the ITB campus environment and in society,” concluded the official statement.