Professors' Alliance Condemns Alleged Repressive Actions Against Surabaya Protesters
An alliance of professors, activists, and intellectuals from various disciplines and institutions across Indonesia has expressed full support for the student movement, which has recently faced pressure and repressive actions by the authorities. The statement from 64 prominent figures was released on Saturday, following a series of violent incidents against student protests, including the forced dispersal and mass arrests during a demonstration at the Grahadi State Building in Surabaya on Friday.
Signatories from the fields of economics and public policy include Anthony Budiawan, A. Prasetyantoko, Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, Rimawan Pradiptyo, Wahyudi Kumorotomo, Nailul Huda, Yazid Bindar, and Muh. Baiquni. Legal and human rights figures who endorsed the statement include Todung Mulya Lubis, Bivitri Susanti, Feri Amsari, Asfinawati, Muh. Isnur, Usman Hamid, La Ode Syarif, Rifqi Sjarief Assegaf, Mas Achmad Santosa, Taufik Basari, Teddy Basari, Josi Khatarina, Susi Dwi Hanrijanti, Zainal Arifin Mochtar, and Norman Edwin Elnizar.
Academics and social scientists also added their names, including Manneke Budiman, Sulistyowati Irianto, Ani Soetjipto, Ery Francisia Seda, Makmur Keliat, Saiful Mujani, Yanuar Nugroho, Yasraf A Piliang, Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, Marzuki Darusman, Sandra Moniaga, Hilmar Farid, Jaleswari Pramodhawardhani, Syafrudin Karimi, Dwi Andreas Santo, Martua Sirait, Salvatore Simarmata, Teddy Prasetyono, Ery Riyana Hardjapamekas, Danang Widoyoko, Suraya Afif, and Yustinus Prastowo. Other signatories included Achmad Arif, Agung Wibowo, Alif Iman, A. Setyo Wibowo, Anton J Supit, Arif Zulkifli, Dian Rositawati, Edgar Anugrapaksi, Firda Amalia, Haryadi, Hilda Assiyatun, Ita Fatia Nadya, Kurie Suditomo, Mardiyah Chamim, Media Wahyudi Askar, Nadia K Wibowo, Novrizal, Nurina, and Silvia Irawan.
The professors and intellectuals stressed that the student movement is an inseparable part of the nation’s history of struggle, describing students as courageous agents of change who voice truth and justice. They argued that the current situation makes the student voice a hope that cannot be silenced, especially as crucial issues such as economic inequality, environmental destruction, and the weakening of critical voices are being ignored.
They firmly condemned any efforts to undermine, suppress, or intimidate students, stating that freedom of expression and association are constitutional rights that must not be violated under any pretext. The forum urged the government and higher education institutions to open the widest possible space for student participation in the democratic process, rather than becoming instruments of silencing. They also reminded the educated class of their moral responsibility not to remain silent in the classroom when democracy is under threat, pledging active solidarity with the student movement.
Meanwhile, the Advocacy Team of the Anti-Criminalisation Network, comprising LBH Surabaya and KontraS Surabaya, recorded that the number of protesters from the ‘Indonesia Sekarat’ rally detained by Surabaya Police had risen to 24, including one woman. They remained in custody and were being questioned at Surabaya Police Headquarters as of Saturday evening. LBH Surabaya also received information that two of the detainees were suspected of being processed for narcotics offences, while some others were being investigated for alleged vandalism but were not being detained. The remaining participants were scheduled to be released after questioning.
Surabaya Police Chief Commissioner Luthfie Sulistiawan stated that his officers had secured a number of individuals from the demonstration near the Grahadi State Building on Friday night. He said the total number of detainees was still being counted, but estimated it to be in the dozens. Luthfie claimed that the police had provided space for the crowd to express their aspirations since the afternoon, but the situation escalated after 6 p.m. local time when an unconfirmed group engaged in vandalism and throwing objects.