Conflict in UKSW deepens

SALATIGA, Central Java: Four new groups have emerged in the conflict-ridden Satya Wacana Christian University, challenging the "Pro-democracy Group", whose demand for the election of a new rector has been met.

"Love and Peace", "The Victims of Conflict Movement", "Silent Majority" and "The Truth and Justice-seeking Group" met with members of the university's foundation last night, saying all conflicts should be ended through legal actions.

They refused to recognize the presidium recently established by the university's key figures in Yogyakarta which they considered "illegal".

Deputy Rector Suwandi, who met with them, said the groups considered results of the Yogyakarta meeting as neither final nor binding because it was "informal and unconstitutional".

The presidium was meant to end the month-long conflict in the university which stems from last month's dismissal of scholar Arief Budiman. (har/pwn)