Rectors back students' push for reform
BANDUNG (JP): State and private university rectors, declaring their allegiance would always remain with their students, gave their stamp of approval on Saturday to student activists' crusade for reform.
A gathering of 159 rectors and administrators issued a five- point declaration which included an entreaty to the Armed Forces (ABRI) to protect students putting on the line their "moral and intellectual force" for sustainable reform.
"Rectors will always side with the students ... We urge ABRI to protect students," said the declaration titled "Agreement of All-Indonesia Rectors Meeting".
Calling for a fair and just general election, it offered to have members of the academic community serve as independent observers of the polls. The rectors believed the move would boost national and international confidence in the election.
The rectors also advocated an independent judiciary and effective legislation to root out the practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism.
Signing on behalf of the group were Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) rector Lilik Hendrajaya, Trisakti University rector Thoby Mutis and Ujungpandang Veterans University rector Anwar Arifin.
Participants who convened at ITB's Sasana Budaya Ganesha hall came from across Java, Sumatra, Bali and Irian Jaya. They dubbed the agreement the "Bandung Declaration".
Lilik said they would submit their demands to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Special Session.
Thoby added they would also provide previous input concerning reform in universities to the Assembly to ensure it would not be "thrown into the garbage can just like that".
Lilik said: "We'll get these (declaration) points across to the Special Session, whatever way we can."
The rectors joined students in expressing concern of the military's long-established role in politics.
Participants were divided on whether to declare support for the session.
Thoby argued that differences in opinion were part of democracy and "we appreciate that". Ultimately, the declaration contained no endorsement or condemnation of the session
They also expressed concern over "counter demonstrations" to student protests on the session, and believed they were potentially damaging.
Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono expressed a similar concern on Friday, warning that demonstrations and counter demonstrations could lead to riots.
"So, let's not be provoked to mobilize masses to wage demonstrations and counter demonstrations," he said in Jakarta. (43/aan)