West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi directly oversaw sanctions against nine students at SMAN 1 Purwakarta who insulted their teacher by showing the middle finger, an incident that went viral on social media. The sanctions involve character-building activities such as cleaning the school environment and religious guidance. The teacher, Bu Atun, has forgiven the students.
The incident of students insulting a teacher at SMAN 1 Purwakarta went viral after a video of them showing the middle finger circulated on social media. It occurred while Bu Atun was teaching a diversity practice lesson in class, though she was unaware at the time. She learned about it from alumni and expressed surprise.
Dedi Mulyadi, affectionately known as KDM, visited the school to monitor the imposed sanctions. The students are engaging in activities like community service cleaning the school including toilets, greeting students in the morning, and religious guidance tailored to their faiths—Quran recitation for Muslims and according to their religion for non-Muslims. "But the main point, the parents didn't complain?" Dedi asked. "Not at all, Pak, (the parents) accept it," the teacher replied.
The students' parents accepted the sanctions without objections, and the students are carrying them out with awareness and regret. Bu Atun forgave them, stating, “I swear by Allah that I have forgiven them,” while emphasizing the importance of character building. Dedi gave Bu Atun a personal aid of Rp25 million, which she chose to donate to an orphanage foundation. “Thank you, Pak. I intend this aid to be donated to orphans,” she said.
Dedi stressed that the sanctions aim to build character without psychological pressure. The nine students are planned to undergo further training at a military barracks in June 2026 along with other students including OSIS leaders.
