TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chairperson of the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the University of Indonesia (UI) Verrel Uziel was dishonorably dismissed in connection with alleged plagiarism. The news was confirmed by the Chairperson of the UI Student Representative Council (DPM) Brevka Noufalio.

"Yes, the information is true," said Brevka when contacted by Tempo, Sunday, January 19, 2025.

The dismissal of Verrel as Chairperson of BEM UI was recommended by the UI Student Court through Decision Number 004/Per.KBEM-IKM.UI/XII/2024/MM.UI on January 4, 2025. Verrel was officially dismissed as of January 11, 2025 based on the UI Student Congress Decree Number 016/TAP/KMUI/2025 concerning the Dishonorable Dismissal of the Chairperson of the Student Executive Board of the University of Indonesia on behalf of Verrel Uziel.

Brevka explained that his party proposed the dismissal because the Chairperson of BEM UI had committed plagiarism in the study he used for the audience with the Indonesian House of Representatives on October 17, 2024. The parties that Verrel plagiarized were a number of BEM Faculties within UI who are members of the Net Zero Society alliance.

Brevka said that in the hearing process to decide on this issue, Verrel admitted that he quoted the study made by the BEM Faculty alliance without first coordinating. He also did not include credit for the Net Zero Society alliance in the study he used for the audience with the Indonesian House of Representatives.

"When we asked, Verrel admitted that the study was made very hastily in one night," said Brevka.

According to Brevka, Verrel's actions violated academic ethics and were detrimental to the good image of UI students. Moreover, Verrel's status as President of BEM UI should be a good example for other students.

Contacted separately, Verrel Uziel said that he accepted the decision even though he was heavy-hearted.

"Yes, I accept as IKM (Student Family Association) UI who obeys the constitution at the University of Indonesia, because that is what was then decided by the Student Court," said Verrel on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

However, according to Verrel, the plagiarism charges filed against him must be further dissected. This is because he felt he did not want and gave instructions to commit plagiarism.

Meanwhile, based on the 2015 Amendment to the IKM UI Constitution, the Student Court is an institution that holds judicial power at the UI student level. This institution has the authority to organize trials to uphold law and justice in the IKM UI environment.

Editor’s Choice: British Historian Peter Carey Criticizes UGM for Not Taking Plagiarism Seriously

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News