The Chairman of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has stepped in to support a student following a viral controversy involving the “Four Pillars” (Empat Pilar) quiz competition in West Kalimantan.
The incident gained widespread attention after reports surfaced that students participating in the event were subjected to “gaslighting” by competition officials. The controversy centered on the dismissive treatment of students, highlighted by the phrase “just a feeling” (cuma perasaan), which sparked public backlash over the conduct of the event’s organizers.
In a swift response to the outcry, the Secretariat General of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) has deactivated the board of judges and the master of ceremonies (MC) who were overseeing the competition in West Kalimantan. The move underscores a commitment to accountability following the reports of student mistreatment.
Following the viral nature of the incident, the Chairman of Commission II of the House of Representatives reached out to one of the affected students, Josepha—known as Ocha—via video call. During the interaction, the official invited Ocha to visit Jakarta and pledged to secure a scholarship for her as a gesture of support.
Ocha expressed her gratitude for the intervention, noting that the scale of the response was unexpected. “I didn’t expect this much attention,” she said.
The case highlights the growing public sensitivity toward the mental well-being of students in competitive academic environments and the demand for professional conduct from educational authorities.
