JAKARTA: The country’s medical community has again been rocked by sexual assault allegations after a doctor at University of Riau’s (Unri) medical clinic was suspended for alleged inappropriate behaviour with several female university students.
Head of Unri planning, cooperation and public relations bureau Armia said the university had received reports on the case through the sexual harassment prevention and control in the university (PPKPT) task force.
“The task force immediately dealt with the case according to the proper procedures,” she said on Tuesday (April 28).
“As part of the follow up, the suspect has been suspended from his duties since April 27.” She said
Unri did not tolerate any form of abuse, including sexual harassment, in the campus environment.
“The university is also committed to providing maximum protection to victims, protecting the identity of all relevant parties and taking stern action against any perpetrator in accordance with prevailing regulations,” she said.
All members of the Unri academic community should maintain a safe university environment and not be hesitant in reporting any form of abuse, the university said on its official Instagram account @humasuniversitasriau.
In April 2025, a student of the anaesthesiology programme at Padjadjaran University School of Medicine was accused of committing sexual assaults on at least two patients and the relative of another patient at the Hasan Sadikin Central General Hospital in Bandung, West Java.
In that case, the doctor is alleged to have sedated and raped the victims under the pretense of conducting blood tests.
The police arrested the suspect and the university moved swiftly by permanently removing him from the academic records and banning him from carrying out any activities at the hospital or on campus.
The case in Riau first surfaced on Instagram, where the account @riau.terkini shared a victim’s testimony after she underwent an examination at Klinik Pratama Unri Sehati 1 by a doctor identified only as LH.
The victim said she went to the clinic complaining of gastritis, but described the doctor’s examination as irregular and involving inappropriate touching that was unrelated to standard procedures for her condition.
“I had gastric acid but I was told to unbutton my top button and was examined using a stethoscope,” she said, as quoted in the Instagram post.
“He then felt my upper chest while checking my upper abdomen, but I believe it was lower down than was necessary.”
Testimonies from other alleged victims then emerged on the same platform, including the face of the doctor accused of sexually assaulting the students.
The abuse is believed to have started in 2025 but only recently came to light after the victims had the courage to tell their stories on social media, such as those shared by another account, @sudut_fkip, which related to the experience of someone undergoing a medical examination in 2025.
Various comments from netizens backed up the allegations, such as @sweetgurrlllll who had a similar experience.
“I know this doctor; I am also a victim. I once saw him for treatment,” she said in the comments.
“Really, I had the same experience. He texted me and asked questions not related to my illness. I was scared.”
University of Riau PPKPT task force head Separen said the body would not only focus on questioning the suspect but also ensuring victims’ rights, including any counselling.
“There are victims who did not realise what they endured was a form of assault,” he said.
“After some victims shared their experience on social media, these victims then also shared their experiences.”
Separately, Unri Students’ Executive Board (BEM) condemned the alleged abuse.
“The academic environment and health provision should be a safe place for university people,” Unri BEM president Muhammad Azhari said.
“Although the suspect is suspended, the case investigation must not stop at paper formalities.”
“We see it as a wake-up call regarding the lack of internal supervision in Unri. There should be no place for sexual predators in Unri.”
Chairman of the Pekanbaru branch of the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), Odih Rhomdani Wahid, said the branch would further clarify the allegations.
“We are still waiting for official information from the institution overseeing the clinic,” he said.
“All parties should be given the chance to present their side of the story and defense before we make any conclusions.”
Odih, who is also dean of Unri School of Medicine, said IDI Pekanbaru would summon the suspect to clarify the allegations. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
