Satya Wacana disrupted by violent protest<\/p>\n
SALATIGA, Central Java (JP): Satya Wacana Christian University
\nstudents went on the rampage yesterday, demonstrating their fury
\nat the management's inability to solve the internal conflict
\nwhich has badly disrupted the learning-teaching activities over
\nthe past year.<\/p>\n
Several thousand students broke into the rectorial and
\nfoundation buildings, smashing window panes, vandalizing
\nequipment and destroying anything in their way.<\/p>\n
Dozens of security officers on guard were overwhelmed and
\nscores of troops in heavy anti-riot gear were called in to quell
\nthe rioters.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses said that yesterday's demonstration was the
\nlargest and most violent over the past year.<\/p>\n
As security officers managed to bring the situation under
\ncontrol, the protesters set up camps within the campus, unfurling
\nbanners and taking turn criticizing Rector John JOI Ihalauw.<\/p>\n
\"The rector must resign,\" a banner read. \"Who can bear this
\nchaotic situation?\", \"Scrap the rector's decrees that sparked
\nthis crisis,\" others read.<\/p>\n
Ihalauw regretted the violent demonstration and described the
\nvandalistic act as \"anarchy\".<\/p>\n
\"The attack has caused a loss of no less than Rp 200 million,\"
\nhe said. \"However, we are determined to continue the learning-
\nteaching activities.\"<\/p>\n
Conflicts in the prestigious university started with the
\ncontroversial election of Ihalauw last year. His critics claim
\nthat the election was \"undemocratic\" and demanded that the
\nprocess be repeated.<\/p>\n
The conflict escalated in November last year when Ihalauw
\nfired outspoken academic Arief Budiman, who is also his ardent
\ncritic, for disciplinary reasons.<\/p>\n
Students and teachers opposed to Ihalauw's leadership demand
\nthat the rector resign, Arief be reinstated and learning-teaching
\nactivities be restored.<\/p>\n
The conflict worsened after Ihalauw, who receives strong
\nbacking from the university's foundation, also sacked dozens of
\nteachers and employees opposed to his policies.<\/p>\n
One demonstrator, Sutrisno, told The Jakarta Post yesterday
\nthat the students' violent act should be seen as \"justifiable\"
\nbecause they have spent millions of rupiahs in tuition fees and
\nliving costs only to see the conflict drag on.<\/p>\n
\"We just cannot understand why the Ministry of Education and
\nCulture refuses to intervene,\" he said. (har\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/satya-wacana-disrupted-by-violent-protest-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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