Jakarta. Jakarta-based Pancasila University on Wednesday appointed an interim chancellor to replace Edie Toet Hendratno, who is facing an ongoing police investigation for allegations of harassing two former female employees.

Sri Widyastuti has been appointed as the acting chancellor by the foundation overseeing the university. She will hold the position until an internal election is conducted next month.

“Every institution goes through challenging and smooth times. However, believe me, any challenging time is a necessary process for a better future,” Pancasila University Foundation Chairman Siswono Yudho Husodo said during the ceremony introducing the new chancellor.

He urged the university's leadership board to resume teaching activities promptly and provide sufficient explanations about the sexual abuse scandal to lecturers and students.

“We support the ongoing legal proceedings at the Jakarta Police, respect the legal rights of both sides based on the principle of the presumption of innocence, and protect the accusers as per the Education Minister’s regulation,” added Siswono.

The sexual abuse scandal came to light when two former employees filed a police complaint against Edie, 72, for separate incidents in which he allegedly kissed them without consent during private meetings in his office.

One of the accusers further claimed that Edie also groped her breast after he asked her to apply an eye drop on him.

Edie, a law professor who began his term as Pancasila University's chancellor on May 28, 2021, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. His attorney questioned the timing of the police complaint, which was lodged more than a year after the alleged incidents.