UGM Removes Viral Banner at Campus Gate<\/p>\n
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) removed a banner bearing the label\n\u2018Surat Permohonan Maaf\u2019 that had been installed in front of the campus\nentrance at Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Thursday morning, 21 May.<\/p>\n
By Thursday afternoon, the banner bearing UGM\u2019s name was no longer at\nthe site.<\/p>\n
UGM spokesperson I Made Andi Arsana confirmed in a statement that the\n\u2018apology letter\u2019 banner had briefly been displayed outside the campus\ngate.<\/p>\n
However, Made Andi rejected the notion that the banner was installed\nby UGM or represented the university\u2019s official view.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough it bears the name of UGM, the hoarding was not installed by\nUGM and does not represent UGM\u2019s official views. Accordingly, the\nhoarding appropriated UGM\u2019s identity and does not meet the applicable\nregulations,\u201d wrote Made Andi.<\/p>\n
In principle, UGM respects and safeguards freedom of expression and\nthe articulation of aspirations by every citizen. However, according to\nMade Andi, any form of expressing aspirations must still respect the\ngovernance rules on the use of campus space and require a clear\nresponsibility from the party installing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn light of this, the hoarding has been removed because the\ninstallation location did not conform to the designated use of\ninformation media in the campus area,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
The banner itself stated that the campus, located at Bulaksumur,\nYogyakarta, apologises for having allowed Prabowo Subianto-Gibran\nRakabuming Raka to become President-Vice President of RI 2024-2029.<\/p>\n
It reads that the apology is made as a form of remorse, because they\nview the current national leadership as corrupt and a shortcut to the\ncountry\u2019s downfall. This is marked by the ascent of people lacking\ncompetence, political misery, and economic disorder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith respect, Universitas Gadjah Mada\u201d reads the inscription at the\nbottom of the banner.<\/p>\n
Separately, Acting Chair of the UGM 2026 BEM (Student Executive\nBoard), Sheron Adam Funay, said that the apology banner was posted by\ngrassroots colleagues on his campus as a form of shared discontent. He\nsupported the action.<\/p>\n
According to Sheron, the concern relates to Indonesia\u2019s current\nsituation, which is experiencing heavy uncertainty under the leadership\nof Prabowo Subianto, particularly given the recent economic\nconditions.<\/p>\n
Sheron added that various data, especially in economics, show a\ndecline in public and investor confidence. The current uncertain economy\ndirectly affects the lives of students and the wider community.<\/p>\n
\u201cCampus, as a space for academic life, should be free to express.\nThis is the boundary of the campus stance that the BEM friends hope to\nsee. Our friends\u2019 disquiet does not come from nowhere. While we hope the\ncampus takes a more radical stance toward the government,\u201d Sheron said\nin his statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe banner has performed its function as a symbol. The main thing is\nthe amplification of this movement. The banner could be burned or taken\ndown, but the movement\u2019s spirit is the main point,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
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[Gambas:Video CNN]<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ugm-removes-viral-banner-at-campus-gate-1779542656", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }