The Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) has officially addressed a social media controversy involving inflammatory remarks directed at Bobotoh, the supporters of the Persib Bandung football club. The incident stemmed from posts on a non-official account, ITBFess, which labeled the supporters as “hama” (pests) and included racist rhetoric following a celebratory convoy on May 24, 2026.
ITB Rector Tatacipta Dirgantara expressed his regret over the digital discourse, which gained significant traction online. In a video statement released Tuesday, May 26, he emphasized that such provocations do not align with the academic culture of the institution and underscored the importance of maintaining peace and community harmony in Bandung.
Institutional Response and Internal Action
In a meeting with representatives from the Bobotoh community, Rector Dirgantara clarified that there is no institutional intent to create conflict between ITB and the club’s supporters. He stated that the university strictly opposes inflammatory language and confirmed that the institution is committed to taking firm action against the perpetrators according to internal regulations.
Tobias Ginanjar, Chairman of the Viking Persib Club, welcomed the university’s stance. He highlighted that the internal community at ITB includes many members who are themselves supporters of Persib Bandung, including the Rector, Vice Rector, and various Deans. He urged the public to remain calm and avoid being provoked by irresponsible parties.
Future Implications
While the specific account involved, ITBFess, is currently inaccessible, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unverified online content. Moving forward, it is likely that ITB will increase its monitoring of digital platforms that utilize the institution’s name to ensure that future online discourse does not violate its ethical standards or incite community division.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the nature of the inflammatory posts?
The posts, which appeared on the non-official ITBFess account, referred to Bobotoh supporters as “hama” and contained racist remarks following a celebratory convoy.
How has the ITB leadership responded?
Rector Tatacipta Dirgantara has condemned the statements, apologized for the resulting unrest, and confirmed that the university is pursuing disciplinary action against those responsible based on internal regulations.
What is the status of the social media account involved?
The ITBFess account is currently inaccessible, and searches for the name now redirect to portals related to Persib Bandung.
How should digital communities balance the freedom of expression on social media with the responsibility to prevent inflammatory rhetoric?
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