Major conflict looms on campus of Satya Wacana
Major conflict looms on campus of Satya Wacana
SALATIGA, Central Java (JP): A major conflict is looming at
the prestigious Satya Wacana Christian University after the
managing foundation refused a presidium formed last week to end
the plagued internal dispute.
The refusal is likely to turn the campus into a "battle field"
for the numerous groups who have different opinions on how the
conflict should be resolved.
The Pro-Democracy Group yesterday threatened to mobilize
thousands of students to stage demonstrations seeking the
dismissal of rector John JOI Ihalauw and foundation chief Haryono
Semangun.
The Pro-Democracy Group, the most powerful, also seeks the
reinstatement of scholar Arief Budiman, whose dismissal last
month was met with fierce opposition from students and teachers
alike.
The presidium, whose five members are yet to be determined,
was formed by the university's key figures last week in
Kaliurang, 25 kilometers north of Yogyakarta.
It will take over Ihalauw's day-to-day job until a new rector
is elected. It is also assigned to review the dismissal of Arief
and dissolve the university's rectorate.
Officials of the University's Foundation said the decision to
reject the presidium was taken in a meeting attended by 12 of its
15 leaders.
"The formation of the presidium is unconstitutional," said
foundation spokesman Charles Christiono. "We have anticipated all
possible consequences, including demonstrations."
Radius Prawiro, a former trade minister who spearheaded the
formation of the presidium, said he was disappointed by the
foundation's refusal.
"A presidium is the best way, in our opinion, to solve the
problem," he told reporters.
Arief, who is at the center of the conflict, also condemned
the foundation's rejection of the presidium, warning that a major
conflict was imminent.
"I'm afraid the (foundation's) decision will only deeply
divide the campus," he said.
Refrain
In Jakarta, Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman
Djojonegoro called on the media to refrain from over-exposing the
disputes.
"It is an internal problem so don't expose it too much. Let
things calm down and give those involved an opportunity to solve
the problems by themselves," he told reporters.
Wardiman refused to comment on the disputed presidium. "I have
not received any formal reports on this presidium and I have no
idea about its authorities and responsibilities," he said.
Wardiman said since the outset the government has considered
the conflict a "purely internal affair" of the university and the
ministry would interfere only if the problem disturbed the
learning-teaching process.
He said he believed the university will be able to solve the
problem. "I'm glad the road is now smooth. It used to be very
bumpy," he added.
The disputes have plagued the university since early this year
when a pro-democracy group rejected the election of Ihalauw. They
say the process is undemocratic.
Things worsened last month when the university's leaders fired
Arief Budiman, a noted outspoken scholar who was among those
opposed to Ihalauw's election.
Waves of demonstrations took place for two weeks and stopped
only when the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings
started earlier this month. The protests practically crippled
academic activities on the campus.
Satya Wacana University was established by five churches --
the Christian Church of Java, the Christian Church of Indonesia,
the Isa Almasih Church, the Muria Christian Church and the
Christian Protestant Church of West Indonesia. (har/pwn/pan)