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)