Republic Conference Continues in Online Format
The Chairperson of the Republic Conference Committee, Sudirman Said, has addressed the cancellation of the National Consolidation of the Republic Conference, titled “Road to Reorganising the Republic,” which was scheduled to take place at the University of Indonesia campus in Salemba, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, 28 June 2026.
Sudirman Said placed this event within a broader context. “Repression is carried out to instil fear. Therefore, this fear is what we must fight. Do not be afraid to continue speaking out. Doors can be locked, but ideas cannot be restricted,” Sudirman Said stated in a written release.
Sudirman also recalled a message from the first Vice President of Indonesia (1945-1957), Mohammad Hatta, delivered during his speech at the first University of Indonesia Alumni Day on 11 June 1957. At that time, he noted, Hatta warned that a crisis of confidence in national leadership cannot be resolved by replacing democracy with dictatorship, as such a change would only create a worse situation and completely erode trust. That message was delivered on the same campus nearly seven decades ago.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Republic Conference National Consolidation, Ahmad Mujahid, explained that the committee had completed all administrative stages required by the university. “We have followed all required administrative procedures since 19 June. From the beginning of this process, we were received very well by the university authorities. Communication and cooperation over the past week have been positive, cooperative, and professional,” he said.
His side had sent official letters, held direct audiences with the Deanery of the Faculty of Medicine, and received initial confirmation both verbally and in writing. On 24 June, Ahmad stated, they received an assignment letter for faculty officers who would oversee the event, complete with details regarding venue rental costs.
“Dynamics developed at the very last minute. At 01:00 am today, we received an official notification stating the unilateral cancellation of the use of the room for our National Working Meeting,” said Ahmad.
“We regret this change in decision within such a short timeframe. At the same time, we understand that this is a difficult situation for the University of Indonesia. We believe that this sudden cancellation does not stem from the internal wishes of the university. There are factors outside the control of UI management at play. As fellow elements of the nation, we respect that difficult position,” he added.