Atmajaya remains closed during polls<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Atma Jaya University, the only university
\nlocated near the capital's main thoroughfares, is closed to
\nacademic and student activities from May 19 to June 8, or one day
\nafter the general election.<\/p>\n
The assistant to the rector for students affairs, Yohannes
\nTemaluru, said on Thursday only members of the university's
\nvoluntary poll watchdog were allowed to enter the campus during
\nthe 20-day \"holiday\".<\/p>\n
Members of the poll monitoring team include Atma Jaya
\nlecturers, students and staff, he said.<\/p>\n
\"All members of the team have their own personal ID card which
\ngives them access to the campus,\" Yohannes said, adding that the
\ndecision to close the campus was made by the university's
\nmanagement board.<\/p>\n
Like many other buildings in the heart of the capital, the
\nuniversity, located next to the Semanggi cloverleaf, has erected
\nfences in front of its gates.<\/p>\n
\"We don't want to take any risks this time,\" Yohannes said,
\nreferring to the incident in November last year when at least six
\nstudents were killed by troops in a battle which took place in
\nfront of the university.<\/p>\n
The closing of the university, however, sparked protest from
\nsome students.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, some 30 students threatened to force their way
\nonto the campus if the management board refused to allow them
\naccess to the university.<\/p>\n
Bona, a student at the university's School of Law, was quoted
\nby Antara as saying that he and his fellow students had planned
\nto use the campus as a refuge center during the rallies being
\nstaged ahead of the elections.<\/p>\n
\"A refuge center is vital at this time, particularly during
\nrallies held near the Semanggi flyover and on nearby Jl. Sudirman
\nand Jl. Thamrin,\" he said. (ylt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/atmajaya-remains-closed-during-polls-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}