Lawyer installed as University Diponegoro rector
Lawyer installed as University Diponegoro rector
SEMARANG (JP): Muladi, a noted law expert, was installed as
the new rector at Diponegoro University, one of Indonesia's most
prestigious state-run universities, here yesterday.
After inducting Muladi, Minister of Education and Culture
Wardiman Djojonegoro urged the new rector to continue to further
the university's reputation as one of the country's centers of
academic excellence.
Wardiman also acknowledged that Muladi's appointment was
constitutional since he was elected by the university's senate.
Muladi, 50, garnered 53 votes in the election, while the other
two contenders collected a paltry five and four votes each.
It was Muladi who made the controversial suggestion last month
that the trials of the suspected murderers of labor activist
Marsinah be stopped to protect the integrity of the courts of
law.
Muladi is also a member of the National Commission on Human
Rights which early this month produced a bold report about a
number of irregularities in the trials of Marsinah's alleged
slayers.
He becomes the first Diponegoro University alumni to head the
college. He replaces Moeljono S. Trastotenojo.
Born in Salatiga, Central Java in 1943, he graduated from the
university's law school in 1968 and received a PhD from
Padjajaran University in Bandung, West Java, in 1984.
Muladi said that one of his first projects as rector will be
to open a dialog with members of the senate, staff lecturers and
students.
"I believe that there will no problems if we are able to begin
a dialog," he said, referring in particular to the current
controversy surrounding the plan to open a school of fisheries.
He also made his mark with students by stressing that he had
no objection to student demonstrations inside the campus.
"But please use demonstrations as a last resort because there
are other ways to solve problems," he added.
Commitment
Muladi seemed serious about his commitment because as soon as
the ceremony was over, he held a discussion with the minister,
the students and staff lecturers.
The ceremony was not without its controversy.
A group of students outside held their own protest demanding
that the new rector consult with the senate, staff lecturers and
students before speaking on public issues on behalf of the
university.
They criticized the previous rector for giving the college's
support to the government's plan to build a nuclear power plant
in the province, bypassing the other staff and students in the
decision-making process.
Meanwhile, dozens of students staged a demonstration behind
the building where Muladi was sworn in, protesting about freedom
in campus. They unfurled posters, banners, and read poems.
They have high hopes for the new rector though.
"Muladi once said that he wanted to make campus a place to
fight for human rights causes. I certainly hope that he will
match words with deeds," said Agung, one of the students.
(yns/wah)