The extended family of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is in mourning following the passing of Argo Ericko Achfandi (19), a student from the Faculty of Law (FH UGM) in the 2024 cohort.
He passed away following a traffic accident in the early hours of Saturday (May 24) on Palagan Street, Yogyakarta.
University Secretary Dr. Andi Sandi conveyed condolences and invited the entire academic community to make this event a moment of collective reflection.
“All university leaders express deep sorrow to the mother and siblings of the deceased,” Dr. Sandi said on Monday (May 26).
He added, “And we hope this incident serves as a reminder of human limitations before the will of the Almighty.”
In an online press conference, Dr. Sandi explained that the legal handling process for the accident case is currently under the authority of the Sleman Police Resort, specifically the Traffic Unit.
UGM ensures that all relevant parties, including those from FH UGM and the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), provide full support for the investigation process.
Coordination continues to be carried out by university leaders along with both faculties to ensure information transparency and compliance with applicable laws.
“We will continue to coordinate with various parties to follow up on the handling being carried out at the Sleman Police Resort,” Dr. Sandi explained.
Dr. Sandi affirmed that UGM will not intervene in any form with the ongoing legal process.
Regarding the visit by the faculties, the Directorate of Student Affairs, and K5L UGM to the police station, it was conducted solely to ascertain the progress of the case handling.
It was also to ensure that all stages proceed according to procedure.
Furthermore, the university and faculties also ensured that there are no guarantees or special treatments for anyone involved in this case.
“We fully surrender the investigation and inquiry process to the police and are committed to monitoring so that everything proceeds according to regulations,” Dr. Sandi emphasized.
Additionally, the university has also established active communication with the victim’s family and prepared assistance measures.
Dr. Sandi stated that emotional, administrative, and logistical support has been provided, including during the release of the deceased’s body.
Meanwhile, for the family of the student from FEB UGM, communication is still being pursued as the legal process unfolds.
“We have coordinated with both faculties, and every step taken is always in the spirit of supporting law-abiding handling and respecting the feelings of all affected parties,” Dr. Sandi said.
Regarding the narrative developing on social media about the social background of one of the students involved, UGM affirmed that the institution has never and will never differentiate handling based on social status.
Dr. Sandi revealed that every process must be based on the principle of equality before the law and transparency in its implementation.
Internal monitoring continues to be conducted to ensure public accountability is maintained.
“We have no intention, let alone action, to influence the legal process; everything is within the police’s domain, and we fully respect it,” Dr. Sandi stated.
So far, Dr. Sandi said, there has been no official communication from the family of the FEB UGM student to the university regarding possible mediation or other steps.
However, UGM states that any resolution path, if it exists, will remain within the police’s domain as the legitimate legal authority.
The university will also not take any steps that could be interpreted as an attempt to influence the course of the investigation.
“Any process, including possible mediation, is part of the authority of law enforcement officials, and we remain consistent in not intervening,” Dr. Sandi said.
Responding to reporters’ questions about sanctions or the revocation of the FEB UGM student’s status, who was involved as the perpetrator hitting the victim until death, Dr. Sandi stated that institutional action can only be taken after a final legal decision.
UGM adheres to the principle of presumption of innocence and will act based on applicable academic regulations, specifically student conduct codes.
Disciplinary measures will be taken according to official mechanisms applicable within the campus environment.
“We are waiting for the legal process to conclude, and if there is a legally binding decision, then we will follow up according to the regulations applicable at UGM,” He concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographs: Firsto Adi and Dema Justicia