Arief Budiman's dismissal (2)

In reference to the letter by Dalil of Bandung entitled Campus and democracy which appeared in the Nov. 28, 1994 issue of your newspaper, I could not agree more that the Arief Budiman tragedy is ironic and that a campus should reflect academic values and the values of truth, justice, good sense, critical analysis and openness. I would question his assumption, however, that the university is being repressive and making arbitrary decisions.

Is it repressive, Mr Dalil, to fire an employee who has repeatedly fed unfounded stories to the press in an effort to discredit the Board of Trustees and force the Rector to step down? Are you aware, Mr. Dalil, that the warnings sent to Arief Budiman since 1988 have gone unheeded? I would also ask you if it is fair for Dr. Budiman and his supporters to manipulate the facts and use the press to gain public sympathy and support for an internal problem between the Board and an employee? Anyone else would have dealt with the matter through legal channels, not through the press.

Yes, I agree with you, Mr. Dalil. A tragedy has occurred. Dr. Budiman's pro-democracy supporters have not set exemplary behavior examples based on democratic principles. That is the irony of it all.

DANNY ZACHARIAS

Satya Wacana Christian University,

Salatiga,

Central Java