Prabowo: Campuses Are for Academic Freedom, Not Other Freedoms

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that higher education institutions must be places where academic freedom flourishes, not freedom in other aspects. He made the remarks during the closing of the National Sarasehan Convention on Science, Technology, and Industry in Jakarta on Sunday (28/6). “Universities are places where ideas are contested, a contest of ideas, a contest of views, a contest of philosophies, a contest of innovations. It is said that campuses have academic freedom, academic freedom, not other kinds of freedoms,” said Prabowo. Prabowo argued that campuses should not become places of conflict. He said that ideally, campuses should be places actively engaged in science and technology. “Especially campuses becoming places for certain thoughts or, let’s say, confrontation. Let campuses actively engage in science and technology,” he stated. He also said that differing views are commonplace. Prabowo admitted he has no problem with differences of opinion. Prabowo also stressed the importance of unity among all parties in Indonesia. Prabowo emphasised that science, particularly within campuses, must provide broad benefits to society. He stated that academics and intellectuals must repay the people who finance educational institutions. “To provide benefits to the people who finance these campuses, who finance all educational institutions. The private sector plays a very important role, but the private sector also enjoys the people’s money from electricity subsidies, fuel subsidies, with all the efforts we make,” he said.