A song titled “Erika,” performed by the Semi-Dangdut Orchestra (OSD) of the Mining Student Association at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), has gone viral on social media. ITB has responded to the situation.
Controversial Lyrics Prompt Response
The song has drawn scrutiny due to lyrics considered to contain elements of harassment towards women. ITB has stated its commitment to building a safe campus environment and respecting human dignity.
“In response to the circulation of content causing public concern, ITB views this event as an important momentum to strengthen a campus culture that upholds ethics, respect for human dignity, and the prevention of all forms of violence, including verbal sexual violence,” said ITB’s Director of Communications and Public Relations, Nurlaela Arief, on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Lala noted that HMT-ITB had issued a public apology regarding the video from 2020. HMT ITB, she said, also stated that it does not condone any actions that demean individuals or groups.
“As a follow-up, HMT-ITB has coordinated with various parties to remove video and audio content from the organization’s official channels and affiliated accounts, including the old video that has resurfaced. A thorough internal evaluation of the content, implementation, and supervision of activities is being carried out, as well as a review of organizational standards and guidelines to be more in line with ethical values in the campus and community,” she stated.
More information can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted ITB’s response?
The response was prompted by a viral video of a song, “Erika,” performed by the HMT-ITB’s OSD, which contained lyrics considered to contain elements of harassment towards women.
What action has HMT-ITB taken?
HMT-ITB has issued a public apology and is coordinating to remove the video and audio content from its channels. They are also conducting an internal evaluation and reviewing organizational standards.
What did ITB state regarding the situation?
ITB stated its commitment to building a safe campus environment and respecting human dignity, viewing the event as a momentum to strengthen campus culture.
How can universities best balance tradition with evolving social norms?
