Manado students take over campus

Manado students take over campus

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Hundreds of students of the State
Islamic College (STAIN) here have occupied their campus and
refused to take part in the scheduled examinations, in an attempt
to force the resignations of the school's head and chief of
administration affairs.

The chairman of the college's Students Senate, Muhammad
Attamimi, told Antara at the campus on Saturday that the action
was begun by students on Thursday.

"A number of students have even gone on hunger strike and
would stop only if our demands are fulfilled by the school's
authorities," Attamimi said.

According to the students, STAIN head Ridwan Syarib and
administration affairs chief Afiat Yusuf have both abused their
power and have partaken in corrupt, collusive and nepotistic
practices.

"These two men have no clear vision about the future (of the
school and its students). Their leadership has only created
divisions within the campus," Attamimi said.

Acting on the orders of his superior in Jakarta, head of the
provincial office of religious affairs Djainudin Ahmad, who
oversees state religious schools in the province, met with the
students for a dialog at the campus on Saturday.

The meeting was also attended by Syarib and Yusuf.

To the protesting students, Djainudin promised to dismiss the
head of the college's administration affairs, and said he would
discuss further the fate of Syarib with his superiors in Jakarta.