{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1835654,
        "msgid": "student-criticism-must-prioritise-ethics-and-uphold-democracy-1782957085",
        "date": "2026-07-02 08:24:07",
        "title": "Student Criticism Must Prioritise Ethics and Uphold Democracy",
        "author": "",
        "source": "VIVA",
        "tags": "berita",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "A prominent religious figure and the State Secretary Minister have called on Indonesian students to ensure their criticism of the government is delivered ethically and responsibly. They emphasised that while freedom of speech is a constitutional right, it must be exercised without resorting to insults or slander, in keeping with the nation's religious and cultural values. The statements highlight a push to balance democratic expression with the preservation of social harmony and moral conduct.",
        "content": "<p>Tuan Guru Batak Syekh Ahmad Sabban el-Rahmaniy Rajagukguk has stated\nthat students\u2019 criticism of the government must prioritise ethics and\nuphold democracy. He said students, as intellectuals, must set a good\nexample in expressing their opinions to maintain the well-functioning\ndemocracy in Indonesia.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, criticism and freedom of expression are the rights\nof every citizen. However, this freedom must be exercised with ethics,\nresponsibility, and a respect for democracy as a characteristic of the\nIndonesian nation. He stressed that Indonesia is a nation that upholds\nreligious values, Pancasila, and Eastern culture, which prioritises\npoliteness in expressing opinions.<\/p>\n<p>\"As children of the nation, as a religious nation that has Pancasila,\nwhere the first principle is Belief in the One and Only God, and the\nsecond is Just and Civilised Humanity. And we are also a cultured nation\nwith moral values,\" he said in a written statement on Thursday, 2 July\n2026.<\/p>\n<p>He added that differences of opinion and criticism of the government\nare normal in a democracy. However, this should not be manifested in the\nform of insults, curses, or humiliation towards other parties. \"Please\nspeak up, but do not resort to insults, curses, or derision. We must not\nrevile or mock each other, because we are a civilised nation,\" he\nsaid.<\/p>\n<p>Tuan Guru Batak also called on all elements of society to jointly\neducate the younger generation on the importance of maintaining ethics\nand morality in national and state life. \"Let us together provide\neducation, teaching ethical and moral values to all our nation\u2019s\nchildren, so that the nation grows into a great and civilised nation\nthat always upholds religious values, Pancasila values, and cultural and\nmoral values,\" he said.<\/p>\n<p>A similar sentiment was expressed by the Indonesian State Secretary\nMinister, Prasetyo Hadi. He said criticism and the expression of\nopinions are legitimate in a democracy. However, their delivery must\nprioritise ethics and responsibility. Prasetyo Hadi explained that\nfreedom of expression is a constitutional right of every citizen. This\nincludes the right for students to voice their aspirations and\ncriticisms regarding public policy or issues. However, this right comes\nwith responsibility.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/student-criticism-must-prioritise-ethics-and-uphold-democracy-1782957085",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}